A rarity: a 3-4-1-2 versus a 3-4-1-2.
Florian Sotoca, Yannick Cahuzac, Jonathan Clauss and Loïc Badé all returned to Lens’ starting eleven after missing out on the dominant victory over Monaco, while Frédéric Antonetti made four changes for Metz in midfield and attack – keeping the same defence but only Farid Boulaya remaining from the frontmen who beat Montpellier.
More used to playing in the 3-4-1-2, Lens got a grip on the game much faster. They stayed narrow initially to guide Metz wide, then would press using man-orientations to pin them in these areas, forcing Metz into going long. Lens would recover the ball and play from there.
The comfort of Badé on the ball ensured Lens didn’t have these issues playing out. He happily pushed forward on the ball, either forcing the Metz forwards across, opening up space for Jonathan Gradit to receive the ball and push forward into attack, or finding a pass forward himself.
Lens also found themselves able to manipulate Metz’ backline. The Metz defenders would try to stick tight to the Lens forwards, so they would drift around, opening up gaps in the backline for passes to be played through and their teammates to attack.
Nevertheless, despite Lens having the better of the half, it was Metz who went in at half-time with the lead. Lens lost the ball in Metz’s half, Boulaya picked up the loose ball and clipped it forward for Opa Nguette, who calmly cut inside and finished on his left. Lens gave up the goal far too easily, neither Massadio Haïdara or Jean-Louis Leca covering themselves in glory.
Having taken the lead, Metz set up to protect it. They shifted to a 3-5-2 as Boulaya dropped back alongside the other midfielders, while the team sat back, staying compact to force Lens to break them down.
Franck Haise made a series of attacking changes. He first brought on Seko Fofana for Issiaga Sylla, with Cheick Doucouré dropping into the backline. They then switched to a back four when Doucouré was removed, along with Gaël Kakuta, replaced by attackers Corentin Jean and Arnaud Kalimuendo, and finally Cahuzac and Clauss made way for Tony Mauricio and Simon Banza, finishing the game with six forwards on the pitch.
Metz held strong though and Lens struggled to create any clear-cut chances. It was instead Metz who added a second, countering in behind makeshift right-back Sotoca, with Thomas Delaine squaring to Boulaya to rifle home from the edge of the area.
Lens have a right to feel unfortunate, having had the better of the game, but their cheaply conceded goal allowed Metz to escape with three points. They need to show greater quality, particularly in defence, if they are going to push on and establish themselves in the upper reaches of Ligue 1.
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