FC Metz in the 2013-14 Season

Ligue 2 Finish: Champions

Match Results: W22-D10-L6

(Featured image: Metz | Source: sociosfcmetz.fr)

The obvious football betting favorites, Metz did not disappoint their fans and went on to finish the Ligue 2 season on top of the league table—thereby giving them automatic berth in Ligue 1, France’s top-tier football. From August through December 2013, they have only lost their matches three times and recorded several clean sheets against the likes of Nancy, Brest, Dijon, and Auxerre. They opened their campaign with a 1-0 victory against Laval.

Metz are going back to Le Championnat after some failed attempts in the past few seasons. The last time they played in the French top-flight was in 2007-08 when they finished at the foot of the league table and were controversially deducted of one point after one of their fans remarked racist comments against then-Valenciennes player Abdeslam Ouaddou.

After the winter break, Metz’s form became even more solid. They rendered their rivals goalless several times and earned points from well-managed, expertly executed pitch maneuvers. Team like Troyes, Clermont, Nancy, Chateauroux, and CA Bastia all went home empty-handed after being trounced by Les Grenats on clean sheet victories.

New signings during the season included N’Sor, Fauvergue, Choplin, Marchal, and Carrasso. Those who left the club for other squads were Baning, Tastan, Kehli, Keita, Cirillo, Croiset, Vinko, and Cherro. Two players from the team scored at least 10 goals throughout the season: Diafra Sakho with 20 and Yeni Atito N’Gbakoto with 14.

Albert Cartier’s men picked up 75 points overall from 38 matches. They also posted the largest goal difference (+27) amongst all participants, scoring 55 and conceding 28.