Key Takeaways
- FC Metz will compete in Ligue 2 next term after their drop from the French top flight was confirmed
- AS Monaco secured a late comeback victory at Stade Saint-Symphorien with strikes from Folarin Balogun and Ansu Fati
- The club holds an unwanted record after suffering their twelfth relegation from Ligue 1, the most by any side in the division’s history
FC Metz have confirmed their drop to the French second division following a painful defeat at home. The club from north-eastern France will play in Ligue 2 next term after losing 2-1 to AS Monaco on Saturday evening.
The hosts looked set for a rare victory when Jessy Deminguet found the net. However, the visitors from the Principality fought back strongly. Folarin Balogun levelled the scores before Ansu Fati struck in added time to seal Metz’s fate.
This result leaves Les Grenats with only sixteen points from thirty-six matches. They sit firmly at the bottom of the table with just two fixtures remaining. The gap to safety is now impossible to close, as sixteenth-placed Auxerre hold twenty-five points.
Metz have struggled throughout the current campaign. They have managed just three victories in the top flight, with their last success coming way back in November. This marks their twenty-second defeat of a difficult season.
The drop represents the twelfth time the club has fallen out of Ligue 1. No other side in French football history has faced relegation on so many occasions.
Meanwhile, Monaco climbed to sixth position in the standings. They moved past Olympique de Marseille, who suffered a surprising three-goal defeat away at FC Nantes.