Football Season Guide

Metz have spent three of the last four years in Ligue 1 and approach this season seeking to win promotion for the third successive time they have been in the second flight. They are coming off a catastrophic season, in which they started so poorly they were effectively relegated by Christmas, and, though Frederic Hantz improved them somewhat for a period thereafter, they ultimately finished well off the pace. Hantz has departed to be replaced by the experienced figure of Frederic Antonetti and Metz are effectively starting from scratch this term. They have lost a number of experienced campaigners, though many of these players failed to impress last season. A number of big earners have departed, with 11 of their regular matchday 18 saying goodbye. Antonetti is a wily campaigner, though, and with a more streamlined squad he has made a number of solid additions. Among them is goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja, who won promotion with Strasbourg a couple of years ago. In defence, Stoppila Sunzu and John Boye are players who can argue they deserve to be at a higher level, while going forward the addition of Habib Maiga on loan from Saint-Etienne is a promising one. Marvin Gakpa, who had a fine season with Quevilly, is another apparently decent addition. But it is keeping Matthieu Dossevi, who was their outstanding man last term, that is the move that bodes best for their chances. He was strong in Ligue 1 at his best and, if he can replicate that level in the second flight, he could be their decisive player. With Emmanuel Riviere and Habib Diallo in their ranks along with the promising Ibrahima Niane, they look well stocked going forward.