FC Metz 2-3 PSG: Paris secure narrow win over Metz

In their last Ligue 1 game of the year, PSG is taking on bottom of the league FC Metz at the Saint-Symphorien stadium on Matchday 16. Luis Enrique and his side are sitting at the second spot of the league, just one point behind RC Lens and could claim the top spot with a win.

Earlier this week, the European Champions were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Bilbao in the Champions League and made a huge step towards a top 8 finish in the League Phase.

For this game against Metz, Luis Enrique will have to do without Marquinhos, Dembélé and Senny Mayulu who dropped at the last minute. The Spaniard coach has made several changes to his starting lineup with Ramos, Ndjantou, Kang-In Lee, Lucas Hernandez and Zabarnyi all making their way into the first XI while Safonov is making his third consecutive start of the season, despite Lucas Chevalier returning from his ankle injury.

Paris Saint-Germain's starting XI: Safonov; Pacho, Zabarnyi, Hernandez, Warren Zaire-Emery; Vitinha, Ndjantou, Fabian Ruiz; Mbaye, Ramos, Kang-In Lee.

FC Metz's starting XI: Fischer; Gbamin, Yegbe, Kouao, Colin; Deminguet, Traoré, Malick Mbaye, Hein, Tsitaishvili, Diallo.

PSG edge past Metz to end the year in Ligue 1

The first big chance of the game came after 16 minutes when Gonçalo Ramos' header was saved by Fischer following Vitinha's free-kick. The European Champions have dominated the first 20 minutes of this game, holding onto the ball very well while the hosts defended well in front of their box to avoid giving up space in-behind.

Gonçalo Ramos opened the score after 30 minutes after a corner played between Ndjantou and Kang-In Lee who delivered a perfect cross in the box. The Portuguese striker scored his fourth goal of the season on his eighth start of the season.

Just before halftime, Quentin Ndjantou scored his first goal with PSG, finding himself at the end of a great cross from another PSG Academy graduate, Ibrahim Mbaye (38'). Shortly after, Jessy Deminguet cut Metz's deficit with a thunderous strike from outside the box, leaving Safonov helpless (41').

The hosts came back from the break with a different mindset, more turned on the offence and created several chances, however, in doing so they opened way too much space. On a break, Désiré Doué find himself alone against Metz's keeper and easily made it 3-1 for the European Champions (63'). The France international scored his second league goal of the season.

Despite several big chances for Paris, it was the hosts who scored as they came back to just one goal with less than 10 minutes left in the game (81'). The French champions were able to hold onto their lead and see out the game.

Up next, Paris will face Brazilian side Flamengo in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final on December 17th at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Qatar.