After a long lull linked to the World Cup, the league resumes this Tuesday for FC Metz. The players of Laszlo Boloni challenge Niort on the sixteenth day of Ligue 2. The Garnets (8th) are on their two consecutive victories in the league and will want to make the pass from three against Niortais in great difficulty (19).
More than a month after the last success against Paris FC, FC Metz return to the Ligue 2 championship with the aim of ending the year well at home. The teammates of George Mikautadze he will want to end the year on a high note in front of the Saint-Symphorien public. After two wins in a row against Saint-Etienne and Paris FC, the Grenats (8th) face relegated Niort (19th).
The chamois at the foot of the mountain
In his ninth consecutive season in Ligue 2, Chamois Niortais are in trouble. The club are currently 19th in the league with a record of three wins, three draws and nine defeats. The team has been led since last August by the Portuguese Rui Almeida. The 53-year-old from Lisbon has passed for Stella Rossa (2015-2016), Bastia (2017), Troyes (2018-2019) and Caen (2019). The results, however, are not those hoped for at the beginning of the season. Thirteen last season, the Niortais managed just one win in their last five games (three losses, one draw).
The player to watch
Coached at Olympique de Marseille (2007-2014), Bilal Boutobba he began his career with Marseille in 2014. He then moved to Sevilla Atlético, then to the Spanish D2 (2016-2018). The French-Algerian striker and attacking midfielder returns to France signing at Montpellier (2018-2020). After two complicated seasons, he arrives at Niort in 2020 where he will express all his talent right from the start.
The 24-year-old Marseille native is the club’s best player this season with six goals scored and two assists in fourteen Ligue 2 games. He is involved in eight of the twelve goals Niortais have scored in the league. Boutoba it also has several selections with the French youth teams (U17, U18, U19 and U20).
History of the clashes between Metz and Niort
FC Metz and Niort have met 14 times since 1987. The record is Metz 7 wins, 5 draws and Niort 2 wins.
Old talents in common
Many former players and coaches have passed from FC Metz and Niort. This is especially the case with Paul Delecroix who was goalkeeper for Chamois from 2011 to 2016 and for FC Metz from 2018 to 2021. The 34-year-old former grenade has been wearing the Châteauroux colors since 2021. Trained at FC Metz (2002-2011), Thibaut Vion he moved on to reserve FC Porto (2012-2014) before returning to his club training (2014-2017). The Mont-Saint-Martin striker played for Niort for three seasons (2017-2020). The 29-year-old former grenade now plays for CSKA Sofia in the Bulgarian league. Jeremy Choplin followed the same path (FC Metz 2013-2015, Niort 2015-2018). Ligue 2 champion in 2014 with the Grenats, the 37-year-old centre-back has been with Gazélec Ajaccio (National 3) since 2021.
On the side of former coaches, we can quote Philippe HibstFC Metz midfielder (1933-1940, 1945-1946) and Chamois coach from 1950 to 1953. He died in 1959 at the age of 43. Kazimir Hnatow he also wore the shirts of FC Metz (1951-1953) and Chamois Niortais (1963-1966). The former defensive midfielder was coach of the Niortais from 1963 to 1966 and from 1972 to 1973. The Crusnes native died in 2010 at the age of 81. Messin defender from 1963 to 1973, Victor Zvunka he coached Niort from 1988 to 1991. The 71-year-old former grenade has now been sporting director of Coton Sport FC (Benin) since 2021. Not to mention, Philippe Hinschbergerlegendary FC Metz midfielder (1977-1992) and former coach of Chamois (2001-2004, 2005-2007) and Grenats (2015-2017).
