(Ligue 1 2023/2024): Highlights FC METZ - BRESTOIS

Looking to avoid back-to-back defeats, top-flight newcomers MESS hosted Brest on Sunday afternoon. The Pirates were brought back down to earth a touch after their strong 3-0 win last weekend was followed up by a draw with Strasbourg in their delayed match on Thursday night. While MESS boss Maslow-Berlini lamented his side's lack of attacking bite in a 2-0 defeat at Lille, the side missing two penalties and a decent run of form came to an end. Looking to put that right though, Daniel Jean-Jacques unleashed a fierce left-lifted effort from distance early on, only to be denied by a combination of the crossbar and Marco Bissot's fingertips. A closer inspection and an extraordinary save by the keeper. That was the only chance of note in a quiet opening half. With less than 72 hours recovery from that somewhat lacklustre draw with Lelassing, Brest looked sluggish during a first 45 in which they managed just two tame efforts on goal. Then it was MESS who again went close once the game got back underway and drew not one but two good saves from Bissot this time. First parried to the feet of Abidjello, but then making an even better start from the Gambian. With a borderline open goal at his mercy, perhaps should have done better. Tame again in truth, the keeper able to claw the ball off the line. Nothing away though from the heroics of Bissot. There was a feeling that one goal would win the game, and it was Jeremie Le Douaron who duly delivered 15 minutes from time, pirouetting on the edge of the box before unleashing an unstoppable left-footed effort. Two in a row for the forward, after scoring just once in his first 13 games in the top flight, this season. Clearly with the confidence of that goal last time out, remembering what he can do, very much how to find the net. It would be enough to secure all three points for Brest. That moves them on to 25 after 15 games, their joint highest tally at this stage of the season. MESS had their chances but didn't take them. Perhaps the loss was to be expected, after all, they haven't beaten Brest at home since 1987.