OM - Metz (1-1) : OM snatch a point
SAME 11 AGAINST LILLE
Six days after the match drawn against Lille in the last moments, André Villas-Boas renews exactly the same starting eleven to challenge Metz. In the usual 4-3-3, Steve Mandanda keeps the Olympian goal and his defence is composed of Sakai, Gonzalez, Caleta-Car, and Nagatomo who plays his second match under the Olympian colours. In midfield, Kamara was surrounded by Rongier and Sanson. The Olympian attack consisted of Thauvin, Benedetto and Payet.
100 matchs FOR GERMAIN
Before starting his warm-up, Valère Germain was rewarded and received a framed "100" jersey. Indeed, against Lille, he was playing his 100th match in the Olympian jersey. It was a day that smiled on him since he had scored the equalising goal.
OM PUSH BUT....
From the very first minutes, the Olympians set up an intense pressing operation enabling them to recover several balls. Between long phases of possession and transitions, the Olympians occupied the Metz camp. Thauvin sounded the first alert with a free kick that was saved by Oukidja. At the 15 minute mark, following a nice collective move, Benedetto released for Payet, who found himself in front of goal but unfortunately missed the target. Although dominating, the men of AVB conceded a chance but Mandanda came out of his goal and made the perfect exit in front of Niane. At the end of the first period, Thauvin crossed at the second post for Benedetto. The Argentinian armed himself with weapons and hit a scissor kick, but the shot was wide.
Niane sURPRISES OM
The OM proved to be little dangerous in the second half, gradually leaving space for the visitors who took advantage of it. With a header from a cross, Niane opened the scoring for Metz in the 70th minute. After that, André Villas-Boas made five changes with the entries of Khaoui, Germain, Strootman, Gueye and Radonjic.
Sanson RESPONDS
There's an air of déjà vu in this end of meeting. OM, who were trailing, scored again in the very last minute of extra time, just as they did against Lille. A nice collective move led by Khaoui who found Radonjic. The Serb set Sanson on his way with a ball on the edge of the six yard box, with the latter leaving Oukidja no chance. Les Messins didn't have the time to commit forward after the referee whistled the match. Before this last opportunity, Steve Mandanda had stopped a Maiga header.
OM thus earned a point from a testing match. After three consecutive matches played at home, the Olympians will travel to Lyon on Sunday, October 4 to close the 6th day of Ligue 1 Uber Eats.
