Play-offs: Reims face Metz in first of two-legged final

Reims were not expecting to be in this situation. Le Havre's miracle come back against Strasbourg saw Abdoulaye Touré score a 90+9' panenka penalty winner to save the Ciel et Marine from the relegation play-offs right at the death of the season. It plunged Stade de Reims into a two-legged tie against Metz to play for their Ligue 1 McDonald's status.

Reims face play-offs & Coupe de France final in crunch week

What's more is that coach Samba Diawara will have to navigate a Coupe de France final against Paris Saint-Germain this weekend, in 10 days which will define the future of one of France's most historic teams. The side from the Champagne region will have to quickly find their sparkle again if they are to avoid relegation to Ligue 2 BKT.

FC Metz have also had their setbacks this season. Les Grenats were hoping for an instant return back to Ligue 1 McDonald's through the automatic promotion spots, but they managed to miss out by four points to Paris FC and FC Lorient at the end of the regular season. After Dunkerque beat Guingamp in the first play-off fixture, Metz managed to scrape through the second against the Northern side thanks to a chaotic own-goal by Yacine Bammou which sees Les Grenats go into the promotion / relegation play-off as the Ligue 2 BKT representative.

WATCH: Reims drop into relegation play-off with loss to Nice

Stade de Reims welcome back Keito Nakamura and Mohamed Diakhon

If Reims are to keep their spot in the top flight, they'll need the help of their Japanese contingent and their best attacking players available. Good news for Diawara's men, with Keito Nakamura as well as Mamadou Diakhon becoming available for the first leg at Metz's Stade Saint-Symphorien. Yet for Les Rémois, there'll be Yaya Fofna, Teddy Teuma, Reda Khadra, and Mohamed Daramy unavailable for the first leg.

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>>Ligue 2 Play-offs: Metz edge Dunkerque with chaotic late winner