Nathan Mbala Becomes a Professional
Benoît Tavenot, in an interview with Ligue 1+, and Bernard Serin, in the mixed zone of Roazhon Park, shared the spotlight on Sunday evening, following FC Metz’s draw with Rennes (0-0). The young Nathan Mbala, who has been a breath of fresh air on the attacking front for Lorraine, symbolized by his goal and decisive performance against Toulouse (3-4), was set to sign his first professional contract with his training club on Monday. He joined from US Forbach… as a goalkeeper. It’s only in 2023 – just three years ago – that the lefty truly made his mark, with success.
Weekend Results
LIGUE 1. Rennes – FC Metz: 0-0. Thanks to crucial saves by Pape Sy, the Messins earned a point but remain at the bottom.
SECONDE LIGUE. FC Metz – Grenoble: 1-1. Marine Morel’s team, equalized in stoppage time, falls into the relegation zone.
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NATIONAL 3. FC Metz – Drancy: 1-1. Also equalized late, the reserve team misses a chance to climb the standings.
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U19. Saint-Priest – FC Metz: 0-2. With goals from Mathis Holo and Jules Thouvenot, the Messin runner-up closes in on the leader Clermont by 7 points.
U17. Thionville Lusitanos – FC Metz: 2-4. With a victory in the Moselle derby, FC Metz maintains 4th place.
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VETERANS. Esap Metz – FC Metz: 0-4. Three wins in three matches for the Grenat veterans.
International Break Schedule
Following their draw in Rennes on Sunday (0-0), the Messins will return to training fields on Tuesday before a closed-door friendly match on Wednesday (11:30) at Frescaty against the Belgian satellite club RFC Seraing, to “balance playing time,” as explained by Benoît Tavenot. The players will train on Thursday and Friday before a three-day break, during this international break period, and resume the following Tuesday. “The idea is to find some mental freshness and balance the workload in terms of athletic training for players who have played less. Now, we have players on national team duty,” adds the Corsican coach. “I hope everyone will return in good shape before facing Nantes on Wednesday.” This match is scheduled for Sunday, April 5 at 17:15.
International Players’ Schedule
Habib Diallo (Senegal): Friendly matches against Peru on Saturday, March 28 (5 pm) at Stade de France and against Gambia on March 31 in Diamniadio.
Yannis Lawson (Togo): Friendly matches against Guinea on March 27 in Rabat and against Niger on March 31 in Casablanca.
Michel Mboula (Gabon): Friendly matches against Uzbekistan on March 27 and against Trinidad and Tobago on March 30.
Believe Munongo (French U17): Second round of Euro U17 qualifiers in Slovenia against Slovenia on Wednesday, March 25 (4 pm) in Radomlje, North Macedonia on Saturday, March 28 (4 pm) in Grosuplje, and Germany on Tuesday, March 31 (4:30 pm) in Radomlje.
Giorgi Tsitaishvilli (Georgia): Friendly matches against Israel on March 26 (6 pm) and Lithuania on March 29 (3 pm).
Match Rescheduled
Originally scheduled for 8:45 pm on Friday, April 10, the FC Metz match at Olympique de Marseille, for the 29th round of Ligue 1, will now kick off at 9:05 pm.
