“Metz made their boldest tactical move of the night at half-time, introducing Habib Diallo in an attempt to unlock a stubborn Grenoble defence that had kept them at arm's length throughout the first half.”
“Kyliann Fofana received a yellow card for a foul as the match began to descend into ill-tempered territory, a sign of the mounting frustration on both sides with just over ten minutes remaining and the scoreline still level.”
“Matthéo Xantippe was shown a yellow card for a foul, the second booking in six minutes as both teams became increasingly physical and the game threatened to spiral out of control in its dying stages.”
“Nampalys Mendy, introduced just seven minutes earlier, was immediately cautioned for unsportsmanlike conduct — a remarkable cameo for all the wrong reasons, summing up Metz's increasingly desperate attempts to find a winner.”
Grenoble Foot 38
Metz
Metz dominated the territorial battle throughout, finishing with 60% possession, 51 dangerous attacks to Grenoble's 28, and five corners to one, yet their final product was woeful — just one shot on target all evening. Grenoble, sitting deep and compact, made their 15 tackles count and frustrated the visitors sufficiently to earn a point, even if they rarely threatened themselves, squandering their one big chance of the night. The match grew increasingly fractious in the closing stages, with four yellow cards handed out between the 78th and 90th minutes as both sides resorted to cynical fouls, reflecting a match that had run out of ideas long before the final whistle. For Metz, a side with genuine promotion ambitions this season, a goalless draw on the opening night of the Ligue 2 campaign is a disappointment; for Grenoble, a hard-fought point against higher-profile opposition is not the worst start to the season, though their attacking limitations were plain to see.
How entertaining was this match?
Lucas Bernadou is on, and Baptiste Mouazan is off.
Ugo Bonnet is substituted for Yadaly Diaby.
Nampalys MendyYellow CardYellow card for Nampalys Mendy.
Matthéo XantippeYellow CardYellow card shown to Mattheo Xantippe.
Yellow card shown to Mattheo Xantippe.
Corner awarded.
Nampalys Mendy is substituted for Idris Mohamed.
Yellow card issued to Kyliann Fofana.
Leonardo Cerri takes a shot with his left foot, but it is blocked.
Mael Corboz takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Nampalys Mendy is on, and Idris Mohamed is off.
Yellow card shown to Kyliann Fofana.
Substitution: Leonardo Cerri comes on for Jean-Guy Akpa Akpro.
Ibou Sane comes on for Nathan Mbala.
Hamza Kadamani is substituted for Believe Munongo.
Ibou Sane is coming on for Nathan Mbala.
Ibou Sane is on, and Nathan Mbala is off.
Ibou Sane is on, and Nathan Mbala is off.
Hamza Kadamani is substituted for Believe Munongo.
Shot from Believe Munongo with his right foot is saved.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Habib Diallo comes on for Pape Moussa Fall.
Shot by Jessy Deminguet with his left foot is blocked.
Giorgi Abuashvili takes a left-footed shot that hits the post.
The first half ends with a score of 0-0.
Nathan Mbala takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Yadaly Diaby takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Kick-off! The referee is Faouzi Benchabane.
Grenoble host Metz on Friday night at the Stade des Alpes looking to bounce back from a disastrous 4-2 opening-day defeat, while Metz arrive full of confidence after a comeback win over Guingamp. With Grenoble's defensive frailties already exposed and Metz considered one of Ligue 2's promotion favourites, this is a stern early test for new Grenoble coach Olivier Frapolli.
