Metz coach weighs timing of Bouna Sarr’s competitive debut

FC Metz coach Benoît Tavenot says uncertainty over match fitness is delaying the competitive return of Bouna Sarr, despite growing anticipation around the defender’s winter comeback.

Sarr’s return to Metz has drawn attention from supporters eager to see the experienced full-back back in action after a long absence, but he has yet to feature in an official match.

Although named in matchday squads — including a 1-1 draw with Lille OSC and a 3-0 defeat to AJ Auxerre — the 34-year-old has remained on the bench.

Speaking at a press conference, Tavenot addressed questions surrounding the decision, stressing that the issue is not about the player’s ability but about readiness after a prolonged spell without competitive football.

Reports relayed by Wiw Sport indicate the coach views the situation as a practical one rather than a reflection of Sarr’s quality.

“I had a discussion with him. I know what a talented player he was,” Tavenot stated initially, before outlining the core concern: the lack of match rhythm following more than two years of inactivity.

The coach explained that he has not yet been able to observe Sarr in extended match conditions, saying he has seen him “not even half an hour in a match or even in an internal scrimmage.”

While recent training sessions have produced encouraging signs — with what Tavenot described as “interesting things” over the past two weeks — the staff are cautious about equating training performance with competitive readiness.

That measured approach reflects the balance Metz are attempting to strike between reintegrating an experienced player and ensuring he is physically prepared for the intensity of top-level football.

The club views the transition as a step-by-step process shaped by observation and timing.

Tavenot nevertheless made clear that Sarr’s debut is expected. “He’s capable of playing, I know that, and he will play because I also need to know where he stands,” the coach stated definitively.

For now, the emphasis remains on preparation, with the timing of Sarr’s first appearance dependent on when his fitness aligns with the demands of competition.