In a duel between former residents of L1, Metz found the way to victory (3-2) and pushed Saint-Etienne a little further, Monday at the end of the 14th day of Ligue 2.
The Garnets, who had won only one of their last seven matches, won thanks to goals from Jean-Philippe Krasso against his side (17th), Kevin Ndoram (40th) and Matthieu Udol (61st). The achievements of Ibrahima Wadji (25th) and Mickael Nadé (90th + 4) were in vain for the Stéphanois.
The Messins go back to 11th place with 18 points, nine lengths from second, Bordeaux, while for the Greens, the Way of the Cross continues with a sixth setback since the start of the season (five in the league and one elimination in the Coupe de France ), which keeps them in penultimate place with 11 units on the clock, three less than Nîmes, first relegated (17th with 14 points).
While Metz coach Laszlo Bölöni may have saved his head, the pressure is mounting on Laurent Battles, even though ASSE supporters initially demanded the management’s resignation.
From the start of the match, the Garnets took the game on their own and imposed heavy pressure on the Stéphanois, who quickly cracked. On a corner from Anthony Musaba, Krasso missed his clearance and sent the ball into his own net (1-0, 17th).
Overwhelmed, the Greens nevertheless equalized on their first situation: served behind the Messina defense, Wadji won his duel with Alexandre Oukidja (1-1, 25th).
Metz resumed its domination and was logically rewarded: after a strike from Ablie Jalow repelled by Matthieu Dreyer, Ndoram followed well to score (2-1, 40th).
When they returned from the locker room, ASSE woke up and finally put the locals in difficulty, like an attempt by Wadji blocked (49th), a save by Kiki Kouyaté on a shot by Benjamin Bouchouari ( 53rd) or a save from Oukidja against Mathys Saban (55th).
Paradoxically, the Grenats widened the gap in full domination from Saint-Etienne on a superb cross shot from the right of Udol (3-1, 61st).
Nadé’s late score reduction (90th + 4) did not change anything at the end of the match.