FC METZ 2-2 OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE

THE MATCH

Les Olympiens were eager to quickly impose their game early on after their midweek Champions League mis-hap. It took just before the 15-minute mark when 18-year-old England youth international Emran Soglo scored his first goal on his debut, finishing low after receiving the ball in space on the left side of the box (14’). The rest of the half saw FC Metz pose a reasonable attacking presence, with a long range effort from Kévin N'Doram being the closest the home side got before the end of the first period of play. Marseille had the ball in the back of the net, and Pierre Emerick Aubamayeng thought he scored on his return to Ligue 1 Uber Eats, but it was ruled out immediately for offside. 

Marseille came out for the second half with intent, and were denied by VAR a second time. Kondogbia threaded an incisive ball through to Aubameyang, who provided a low cross from which Valentin Rongier finished into an open net. The replay showed Ismaïla Sarr’s foul in the build up of play. Fate then turned against the home side, after Ababacar Lô’s dangerous tackle on Rongier saw him deservedly sent off by referee Mathieu Vernice. 

Yet, Metz didn’t count themselves out of the contest despite being a man down. Cheikh Sabaly’s inside run was dangerous, but his long range strike deflected viciously off Rongier and wrong footed OM goalkeeper Pau Lopez for an equaliser which raised the volume at Stade Saint-Symphorien (66’). Another Generation Foot academy product scores his first Ligue 1 Uber Eats goal. 

Metz weren't going to finish there. Ligue 2 BKT’s best player last season, Georges Mikautadze, saw the ball fall perfectly to him from a corner, and the Georgian’s low-driven volley slipped straight under Lopez to put the promoted side in front in dramatic fashion (71’). Marseille then piled on the pressure against the 10 men, with the post and Metz goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja on hand to soak it all up. Mikautadze was close to extending the lead, twisting the OM defence inside out but with his shot ultimately saved. 

It was a save that Metz will regret, and one that OM gladly enjoyed, as mere minutes later Marseille substitute Vitinha levelled proceedings with a low-driven strike from inside the box that was too powerful for Oukidja to get a full grasp on (82’). The late pressure continued, but the newly-promoted Metz side managed to see out the draw with the numerical disadvantage for their first point of the Ligue 1 Uber Eats season.


THE PLAYER - GEORGES MIKAUTADZE 

The Georgian follows up a player of the season performance in Ligue 2 BKT with a strong start to this season in the French top flight. Following last week’s goal against Rennes, Georges Mikautadze was the driving force behind Metz’s attack against Marseille. A dangerous dribbler, with physicality, speed, and a deadly finishing ability, it is no wonder that some big sides are looking at signing him this summer. His goal put FC Metz in the lead but he’ll regret the missed chance to pull further ahead after OM equalised.

THE STAT

Four goals were scored this evening, which now brings the total to 343 goals that have been scored when these two sides have met - this is the highest amount between two clubs currently in Ligue 1.