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Ligue 2 Playoff Preview: USL Dunkerque Looks to Continue Run Against FC Metz
To advance, USL Dunkerque will have to do what they didn’t do this campaign and haven’t done since 1976, defeat Metz. The two sides faced each other twice this season, with Les Grenats winning both encounters.
Metz also have a seven-match unbeaten streak over Les Maritimes. If
Luís Castro and his team were to snap the club’s winless streak against Metz; this one-game playoff would be the ideal time.
On Thursday, Stéphane Le Mignan spoke at his press conference about the contest and while his squad have edged the opposition twice this season, he doesn’t believe they are the favorites entering this contest.
“I don’t think we’re the favorites. We have home-field advantage and a bigger budget, but in terms of collective play, Dunkerque’s players have been very strong this year. The quality of the opponent is clear. We’ll have no choice but to be at our best to keep our journey going. We want to win in front of our fans.”
Le Mignan also spotlighted USL Dunkerque’s run in the Coupe de France, which gives them the confidence that they can beat anyone on any given day. USL Dunkerque defeated Ligue 1 McDonald’s clubs LOSC Lille and Stade Brestois while they had Paris Saint-Germain down 2-0 before the Parisians scored four unanswered goals.
With this confidence that the opposition has following this run of slaying multiple Ligue 1 McDonald’s clubs, Le Mignan isn’t taking their opposition lightly.
“The victory against Guingamp was well deserved. They are a team that has found new energy. In my opinion, they have the best collective play in the league. We must not forget their run in the French Cup, which shows the work of this group.”
“It’s true we beat them twice in the league, but the upcoming match is completely different. It’s not the same stakes, nor the same context because there’s a strong emotional aspect.”
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>>Ligue 2 BKT Play-offs: Metz Eye Immediate Ligue 1 McDonald's Return after bold tactical reset
