Metz 2-2 Marseille: Points shared in see-saw game as visitors maintain unbeaten early start after Vitinha equaliser

Ten-man Metz held Marseille to a 2-2 on Friday night after Vitinha grabbed a late equaliser for the visitors.

Marseille were looking to maintain their 100 percent record in Ligue 1 but also bounce back from their midweek Champions League qualifying exit at the hands of Panathinaikos.

Metz had lost their first game back in the top flight 5-1 to Rennes last weekend, but went behind to Emran Soglo, making his debut for Marseille after joining the team from Chelsea last year.

In the second half, Leonardi Balerdi’s foul ended up ruling out a Valentin Rongier header and Geoffrey Kondogbia limped off with an injury in after a red card in midweek.

Just before the hour mark, Baboucar Lo was sent off for a reckless challenge on Iliman Ndiaye, but a little over five minutes later Cheikh Sabaly’s wildly deflected long-range effort levelled the scores, and Georges Mikautadze then put the home side in front.

Mikautadze then missed a one-on-one with the ‘keeper before substitute Vitinha slotted home on 82 minutes. The point takes Marseille top ahead of the weekend’s other games, while Metz move up to 13th.

There is little to doubt when it comes to the side’s attacking prowess, especially with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s contribution in midweek, and the cool finish from Emran Soglo.

Paul Lopez was poor in goal and the club might be persuaded to look elsewhere before the end of the transfer window.

OM were impressively and unusually consistent last season but with Dimitri Payet gone, they need to find a new leader and new way to win.

But there is a worry in defence, which persists after their Champions League exit.

While Lopez was at fault for Marseille, Oukidja also made a couple of mistakes when it came to goals conceded, but his late stops showed athleticism and kept the home side in the game.

Metz: Oukidja 7, Colin 6, Traore 6, Lo 4, Cande 6, Jean Jaques 6, N’Doram 6, Maziz 6, Sabaly 7, Mbaye 6, Mikautadze 7. Subs: Kouao 6, Maiga 6, Atta 6, Camara 6, Tetteh 6.

Marseille: Lopez 5, Balerdi 6, Mbemba 6, Lodi 6, Clauss 6, Kondogbia 6, Rongier 6, Soglo 7, Sarr 6, Ndiaye 6, Aubameyang 7. Subs: Veretout 6, Vitinha 7, Mughe 6, Harit 6.

14’ – GOAL! METZ 0-1 MARSEILLE – SOGLO SCORES – Sarr darts down the inside right, his pass reaches Soglo on the left of the box, and he fizzes in a shot at the near post that beats the ‘keeper.

52’- GOAL! METZ 0-2 MARSEILLE – RONGIER SCORES – NO! Aubameyang is slipped in down the inside right, he scoots past the ‘keeper and loops the ball in towards Rongier who nods home, but it’s disallowed for a foul in the build-up.

59’ – LO RED CARD – Lo goes with his studs up into Ndiaye’s ankle/shin – he’s basically fine if in pain – and the player cannot be surprised with a red card here.

65’ – GOAL! METZ 1-1 MARSEILLE – SABALY SCORES – He cuts in from the right and takes a shot that flies off a shin and beats Lopez, over the top of the ‘keeper.

71’ – GOAL! METZ 2-1 MARSEILLE – MIKAUTADZE SCORES – A corner from the right comes to the forward, and he chests down a bouncing ball before lashing a fierce effort past a poor effort from Lopez.

82’ – GOAL! METZ 2-2 MARSEILLE – VITINHA SCORES – Marseille race up the other end and Vitinha slots home to equalise.