FC Metz Secures Ligue 1 Return with Dominant Win Over Auxerre
After a prolonged absence from France’s top tier, FC Metz has officially secured their return to Ligue 1, confirming their promotion with a commanding 3-0 victory over Auxerre on Saturday. With four matches still to play in the Ligue 2 season, Metz’s promotion is now mathematically guaranteed, capping off a remarkable journey for the club.
The Grenats, who currently sit at the top of Ligue 2, now boast a 14-point lead over third-place Nancy, with four fixtures remaining. They are also 15 points clear of fourth-place Caen, who have two matches in hand. Even with those games to play, it is certain that Metz will finish in at least one of the top two spots, ensuring their place in Ligue 1 for the 2021/22 season.
This promotion marks a remarkable resurgence for a club that was relegated from Ligue 1 at the end of the 2007/2008 season. From falling to the National league to returning to the top flight in just two years, Metz’s journey is a testament to their resilience and strong organizational structure.
Albert Cartier, the coach of FC Metz, expressed his immense pride in the achievement, crediting the club’s leadership and long-term vision. “This is the reward for a major project put in place by the president, Bernard Seurin,” Cartier said after the win. “I am very happy for this club, which has suffered and is now returning to the highest echelons of football.”
While the promotion is a monumental success, Metz is not resting on their laurels. Cartier confirmed that the club will continue to push for the Ligue 2 title. “We will still fight to win the Ligue 2 title,” he said, as the team sets their sights on completing an exceptional season with silverware.
Metz’s journey back to the top flight has been one of steady progress and strategic planning. The club’s return to Ligue 1 will bring a renewed sense of optimism to their fans, who have long awaited the day they would again compete against the country’s elite clubs.
As the final stretch of the Ligue 2 season unfolds, FC Metz will look to finish their campaign with the added bonus of the league title, completing a fairytale rise back to France’s top division.
