Ligue 2 Review #20: Metz see off Paris FC to rise into top 2, Lorient keep lead at summit
FC Metz 3-1 Paris FC: Les Grenats see off Les Parisiens to rise into top two
It finally looks like Stéphane Le Mignan‘s side are back to serious business this season. After suffering a blip in the autumn months, Metz have risen back into the promotion spots following a convincing 3-1 win over Paris FC at Stade Saint-Symphorien. Papa Amadou Diallo was on target to open the scoring (16′) before the away side managed to equalise via Jean-Phillipe Krasso, who set up by Vincent Marchetti’s low cross (28′).
Yet it was the hosts who thereafter dominated in the affair. Gauthier Hein continued his promising season with not one but two assists, firstly for Idrissa Gueuye who put Metz back in the lead (55′) before he set up Papa Amadou Diallo for the Senegalese forward’s brace (71′). Paris were well beaten away from home, and dropped to third in the table for the second time this season before facing Red Star FC in what will be a heated Paris derby next weekend at Stade Charléty.
THE STAT: Earning his first start in Ligue 2 BKT, Idrissa Gueye became, at 18 years and 124 days, Metz’s youngest goalscorer in Ligue 1 + L2 since Miralem Pjanic, in May 2008, in L1 (1 goal v Le Mans at 18 years and 45 days).
Dunkerque 0-1 Lorient: Les Merlus face-off Maritime threat
Olivier Pantaloni’s FC Lorient managed to see off a resurgent Dunkerque side away from home to keep their three-point lead at the top of the Ligue 2 BKT table. Stade Marcel Tribut has been a difficult place to go this season, with Dunkerque more often than not building their positive momentum this season at their home ground. Les Maritimes once again showed promise against the league leaders, but the away side was smart and clinical enough to avoid any slip-up.
Eli Junior Kroupi set up Montassar Talbi to open the scoring on the edge of the box with a precise finish (14′), and Les Lorientais didn’t look back afterwards. Pantaloni’s side managed to defend their lead and see out the match for an important result at the top of the table, which means FCL retained their three-point lead.
THE STAT: Dunkerque have lost their first Ligue 2 BKT home match since 16 August 2024 (0-2 v Annecy), a run of eight matches (each won), ending their longest consecutive home winning streak ever in the division.
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