Marseille know what to expect. Metz, who already have one foot in the Second Division, want to finish off their season in style in front of a capacity crowd. They would love to lighten up, for the duration of a game, a season they will want to forget about very quickly.
In their game against Marseille, Metz have fixed and objective of doing well against one of the top teams in the league, hoping to save some face this season. A victory over OM would do just that. In a stadium full to the rafters just like every game against the most popular club in France, Yvon Pouliquen’s players will wan to finish their season off on a high note. One last big game for the public at Saint Symphorien, nothing like the games they will have next season in the L2. All these things add up to making it a very important game for Metz. «They will be playing without any pressure and will want to give their supporters something to cheer about , says Mamadou Niang. Even if they are already down, they will want to give their fans a present by trying to beat OM. They can be dangerous, we saw that in their game against Lens (1-1)».
17 points behind their nearest rival in 19th place, Metz have nothing to lose. Over the last few games they have been playing without pressure and having been giving their all. Even if they haven’t been too successful, Pjanic and co have show hard work and desire that many thought the Metz team didn’t have. Much more compact, better balanced in their play, Metz are putting up a fight and advancing. Proof of this was seen in the drawn game against Lens last week or during the derby of the east won 3-2 against Strasbourg. «Metz have been trying to play recently, trying things out and trying to enjoy themselves. They are not a team that sit behind the ball in their box trying to avoid conceding. It’s going to be a difficult game but probably a lot more open than people imagine » analyses Benoît Cheyrou.
Coming to the end of the season and the start of the transfer market, the players will also be playing for their individual futures. Putting in a good performance could allow certain among them the chance of staying in the elite. With all this in mind, Metz will be trying to maintain the small suspense at the top of the table by playing the little pests, a top of the table which is still undecided with only 6 games to go.
