Metz close to relegation after defeat at Marseille

The draw was not far off. FC Metz managed to challenge Marseille but ultimately lost 3-1 at the Vélodrome in the 29th round of Ligue 1. This result confirms the likely relegation of the Metz club to Ligue 2: with 15 points, Metz is already eight points away from the playoff spot, currently held by Auxerre (who will play against Nantes on Saturday).

“It’s very, very tough. I suffer, like many people at the club. We are being punished for things we should do better. It’s a reflection of the season,” summarized Metz coach Benoit Tavenot on Ligue 1+. “They are beautiful goals but we concede them due to our positioning. It’s regrettable because there was a chance to unsettle this team tonight. When we make mistakes like that in Ligue 1, at the Vélodrome, it’s complicated.”

“Just to keep the players afloat, I battle all week”

The Messins did not deserve to lose at the Vélodrome. But the coach believes that the gap, especially in physical terms, was too big: “We put them in danger and there’s also the context that put them in danger. It’s tough in Marseille when it’s unstable. We knew it, we had to make them doubt. We lacked a bit of quality in our recoveries at halftime, a bit of strength, passing, dynamism. There is still a significant athletic difference between Marseille’s players and ours. Overall, we lack strength in our footing. But we don’t give up. I know we cause pain but we don’t give up.”

Joining in January, Benoit Tavenot could only observe that his group was already convinced of relegation: “We are walking a tightrope, we simply have our limits. It’s a group that has been hearing, since the restart, that they will go down. Mentally, it’s tough. Just to keep the players afloat, I battle all week. Since July, we’ve been saying that FC Metz will go down. We are experiencing a really difficult season, and for me, two really tough months.” Next weekend, Metz will host Paris FC.

Original article published on RMC Sport