Bordeaux vs Metz preview - Maurice-Belay could doom first love

Posted Friday, April 24, 2015 by PA

Bordeaux midfielder Nicolas Maurice-Belay could all but seal the relegation fate of the club he supported as a boy when struggling Metz visit the Stade Jacques Chaban-Delmas on Saturday.

Despite two consecutive wins which have kept their slim survival hopes alive, the visitors head into the game eight points from safety and requiring a minor miracle to ensure survival.

But with Bordeaux's European aspirations suffering a blow with last week's 2-0 loss at Lille, Maurice-Belay insisted sentiment would not get in the way of his side's performance.

The 30-year-old told Metz's official website: "It is true I supported Metz as a kid but my only goal now is to win the last five Ligue 1 matches to put the odds (of qualifying for Europe) on our side.

"Last week was inevitably a setback because we were on a good momentum but victories will become more and more important at the end of the championship when we still have goals to complete."

Back-to-back wins have given Metz a flicker of hope in their survival bid, especially as they also have a game in hand on the teams above them.

But with games against Paris St Germain and Marseille to follow next week, the chances are Albert Cartier's men will soon be returning to Ligue 2.

Metz midfielder Ferjani Sassi told Luxemburger Wort: "Bordeaux, Paris and Marseille is a crazy schedule. We know it will be very hard but we believe in ourselves and we will fight to succeed."

Metz are not helped by the injury-enforced absences of both Jonathan Rivierez and Sylvain Marchal, while Kwame Nsor and Romain Rocchi are also both still out.