Football: five things to know about Metz, Rodez’s next opponent

Broken down from four matches

If FC Metz is currently in 3rd place in Ligue 2 with 61 points, four behind Paris FC (2nd and therefore going up in Ligue 1), the Messins are experiencing a fairly complicated period. Indeed, during their last four meetings, Stéphane Le Mignan’s men pocketed only five points out of twelve possible. It is also their worst dynamic of the season.

And yet, Metz did not meet the top of the top of the table during this period. These seven precious points lost were on the ground of the future resident of National 1, Caen, with a 2-2 at Stade Malherbe. Metz also made a draw on the same score against the Red Star, a team that is still fighting for its maintenance. And last Saturday, the Messins went to lose on the lawn of Pau (2-1).

With absent

For the reception of Rodez, the Messins have three absent. First of all, they will have to do without their central defender Sadibou Sané. Wounded since April 11 against Martigues, his absence is harmful, as he is a strong man of the Mosellane rearguard, who, with him, only conceded 0.83 goals on average per match on the first 30 days.

Too fair to make his return after his heel injury against Red Star on April 19, the 29 midfielder in Ligue 2 starts this season, Jessy Deminguet, will not be in the game on Friday evening either. And the same thing for Joël Asoro.

Threats eh and sabaly

Even if the two offensive players Messins have been silent for two games, the Ruthenians will notably have to be wary of Gauthier eh and Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly. The Senegalese striker positioned in number 9 this season by Stéphane Le Mignan is experiencing a more than successful season, with 13 goals and two assists. This is his best season under the garnet colors by far, since he had never scored more than three goals in the league.

For his part, Gauthier Hein also has had an excellent season, which earned him to be appointed to the UNFP trophies of best player in League 2. Indeed, the number 7 of Metz has 11 goals and 6 assists. Accustomed to playing the climb, notably with AJ Auxerre, Gauthier Hein had already scored 11 league goals during the 2021-2022 and 2023-2024 seasons.

Metz will also be able to rely on his captain Matthieu Udol, current Co-Meilleur Panter de Ligue 2 with eight offerings.

Solid and realistic

FC Metz is not third in the championship by chance. This season, the Messins have scored no less than 58 goals in 32 games, an average of 1.81 purposes per game. It is therefore the second most prolific team in Ligue 2, preceded by Lorient and its 62 achievements.

Defensively, the Mosellans collected only 29 goals, an average of 0.91 per meeting, which makes them the second best defense of L2. And once again, Lorient does better with 28 goals conceded.

An opponent who does not smile in Rodez

During their only three confrontations in Ligue 2, the Ruthenians never managed to defeat FC Metz. The RAF has collected eight goals, but especially bowed twice, especially during the first leg this season in Paul-Lignon (3-1). His best result was a draw in Saint-Symphorien (1-1), in 2023.