PSG v Metz – Metz preview: worry grows for the Grenats | OneFootball

This Saturday, February 21, Paris Saint-Germain (2nd) faces Metz (18th) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off at 9:05 pm, broadcast on Ligue1+) during the 23rd matchday of Ligue 1 2025-2026. And as before every match, here is the presentation of PSG’s opponent.

The Situation of Metz –

FC Metz is the French club most accustomed to the elevator between Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. This time, the Metz club was promoted thanks to the playoff win against Reims last summer. This was their 8th promotion in the 21st century.

The challenge for the club, founded in 1919, is therefore to find stability by staying in the top flight. But nothing is won yet, far from it, with their current 18th place in Ligue 1. There was a terrible start to the season, then a revival to rekindle hope.

Except that Metz has fallen back into a difficult period, which cost coach Stéphane Le Mignan his job, replaced by Benoît Tavenot. Now, they have to fight for survival until the end. Today, Metz is 18th, 9 points behind Paris FC, 15th and the first non-relegated team (16th, Auxerre, is 4 points ahead and there’s a playoff to play at the end of the season).

Summer Transfer Window 2025 –

Source: Transfermarkt.

Departures:

Arrivals:

Winter Transfer Window 2025/2026 –

Source: Transfermarkt.

Departures:

Arrivals:

Main Statistics –

This season, Metz is among the 16th best attacks in Ligue 1 with 22 goals scored (the leader, PSG, has 49, and the last, Auxerre, has 17), and has the 18th defense with 49 goals conceded (Lens has the best defense with 17 goals conceded and the second to last, Nantes and Nice, are at 40).

The top Metz scorer is Gauthier Hein (29-year-old attacking midfielder), with 6 goals, ranking 21st in the league (Mason Greenwood is 1st with 14 goals). Hein is also Metz’s top assist provider with 4 assists and is 15th in Ligue 1 (Vitinha is first with 6 assists).

Metz’s Last 5 Matches –

Only Metz’s possession is indicated and Metz’s shots are listed first (when data is available).

18/01/2026 (Ligue 1) – Strasbourg/Metz: 2-1. In 4-2-3-1. 47% possession. 13 shots (7 on target) vs 13 shots (4 on target)

25/01/2026 (Ligue 1) – Metz/Lyon: 2-5. In 4-3-3. 51% possession. 9 shots (2 on target) vs 8 shots (4 on target).

01/02/2026 (Ligue 1) – Angers/Metz (with 10 men): 1-0. In 4-3-3. 38% possession. 3 shots (2 on target) vs 18 shots (6 on target).

06/02/2026 (Ligue 1) – Metz/Lille: 0-0. In 4-2-3-1. 51% possession. 12 shots (3 on target) vs 10 shots (6 on target).

15/02/2026 (Ligue 1) – Metz/Auxerre: 1-3. In 4-2-3-1. 63% possession. 14 shots (4 on target) vs 13 shots (5 on target).

The Squad:

Absentees – Guerti, Hein Magondo, Stambouli, Sy (injuries)

Hein (29-year-old attacking midfielder) was doubtful and his absence is a big blow, as he is directly involved in almost half of Metz’s goals this season in Ligue 1 (6 goals and 4 assists out of 22 goals).

The probable lineup in 4-3-3.

Tsitaishvili – Diallo – Michal

Bo. Touré – Gbamin – Munongo

Colin – Mboula – Sané – Kouao

Fischer

Metz’s Playing Style.

FC Metz has a rather attacking approach, especially for a team in difficulty. The idea is to get out of trouble by trying to create. Notably by using the width, then shooting when there’s an opportunity. Against PSG, however, we mainly expect a compact and aggressive block, trying to break out from time to time to cause damage. A more ambitious plan is rare at the Parc des Princes, especially for a struggling team.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.