This Thursday evening, Saint-Etienne hosts Metz in the first leg of the play-off for accession to Ligue 1 at 8:30 p.m. An enticing poster between two historic French football clubs who are competing for the last place in the championship for next season.
The play-offs for accession to Ligue 1 begin this evening with the first leg between Saint-Étienne and FC Metz.
A return to Ligue 1 for ASSE?
Two years after leaving it, Saint-Étienne has the opportunity to return to Ligue 1. Last weekend, the Stéphanois gave themselves the right to dream after a home victory against Rodez (2-0) during the play-off for accession to the League 1. For this play-off match against 16th in Ligue 1, FC Metz, Saint-Étienne will be able to count on its audience and the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, in turmoil. On the pitch, it’s much more balanced according to Olivier Dall’Oglio. The ASSE coach even positions the Grenats as the favorites to secure the last ticket in the elite next season: “Metz played the whole season in L1, they played complicated matches every weekend. I’m not saying that for us, in L2, it was simpler. But it’s different, there is more efficiency, more control in the elite… The Messins are used to more speed of execution. We will have to maintain our technical efficiency and our power to compensate. If we lose too many balls, it will be very complicated for us.”
The technician also pointed out the major difference between the two teams: “The intensity? That could be the key because the intensity of Ligue 1 is stronger than that of Ligue 2. We will have to be able to show the same intensity as against Rodez. Why does this differ between matches? I don’t have all the keys, it’s a football match we try to explain everything but we don’t always have the explanations. In this match against Rodez, there was more strength, power, precision. In the last match, we also had more technical precision which surely gave the team more momentum. (…) I think we made a big start, with the crowd pushing and the opportunities arriving, it helped the boys. We try to work on the starts with as much intensity as possible, and so does the opponent. Sometimes it works and sometimes it’s a little more complicated.”.
Metz facing his destiny
Concerned by the fight to maintain during a large part of the season, the FC Metz has the opportunity with this back and forth confrontation in the Ligue 1 play-off to be able to keep its place in the first division next season. For this, we will have to achieve a result at the Cauldron this evening to hope to secure the last place on Sunday evening at home. During a press conference, Laszlo Bölöni confided that he was very wary of ASSE, capable of causing big problems for his team. “Saint Etienne ? It’s a team that has a very good midfield and good attackers. She also has a good defense. Conclusion ? This team can cause problems for a lot of people.” said the garnet club coach.
To achieve this objective, the technician will be able to count on a limited workforce: “The group was narrowed to twenty-two players. Throughout the season and last year as well, we carried players on our backs that we didn’t need. Players who didn’t help us, who sometimes gave us organizational problems and other problems too. When there are very few, it’s not good, but when there are too many, it’s not good either. I believe in a smaller group. I love having sixteen football players and besides that, still six young people who want it. This is what I like! “
What time does Saint-Étienne – Metz start?
The start of the first leg of the play-off for accession to Ligue 1 between Saint-Étienne and Metz is scheduled Thursday May 30 at 8:30 p.m. at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Étienne. The referee of the match will be Benoît Millot.
On which channel to watch Saint-Étienne – Metz?
Holders of TV rights for Ligue 2 and Ligue 1, BeIN Sports 1 and PrimeVideo will jointly broadcast the poster between the Stéphanois and the Grenats.
How to follow Saint-Étienne – Metz in streaming?
If you want to watch the first leg of the Ligue 1 play-off between Saint-Étienne and FC Metz on your computer, smartphone or tablet, you will need to subscribe to MyCanal or on the sites Bein Sports And PrimeVideo.
What are the probable lineups for Saint-Étienne – Metz?
Saint Etienne : Larsonneur (G) – Macon, Batubinsika, Nadé, Petrot – Tardieu – Cardona, Cafaro, Chambost, Moueffek – Sissoko.
Metz: Oukidja (L) – Colin, Herelle, Sané, Udol – Jacques, Camara, N’Doram – Van Den Kerkhof, Diallo, Mikautadze.
What are the predictions for Saint-Étienne – Metz?
- Betclic: Saint-Étienne: 2.05 / Draw: 3.25 / Metz: 3.50
- Bwin: Saint-Étienne: 2.05 / Draw: 3.10 / Metz: 3.40
- NetBet: Saint-Étienne: 2.07 / Draw: 3.20 / Metz: 3.40
- Unibet: Saint-Étienne: 2.05 / Draw: 3.25 / Metz: 3.40