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

Marseille looking to put their European troubles to one side as they travelled to Metz for Matchday 2's curtain raiser. Veteran manager Laszlo Baloney's promoted side with a tough start back in the top flight. The 5-1 defeat last week to Rennes. OM hope you signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could carry on his midweek form while 18-year-old England youth international Erman Soglo came in for an unexpected debut. Yet it was another new boy back on his old stomping ground who stung the gloves of The last of Ismail Tsar's five league goals for Metz gave it a 2-1 win at Nancy in April 2017. The summer arrival for Watford did however set in motion a surprise opening goal scorer. He was the instigator, Aubameyang with the official assist. But what a strike from Soglo, even had he was helped out by poor goalkeeping. At 18 years and 38 days, Soglo the youngest OM player to score a league goal since Samuel Nasri in January 2005. Marcelinho delighted but no OM boss since Elie Bock in 2012 had won their first away assignment. After being dumped out of the Champions League though, what a welcome boost it would be. The Rennes fans' pre-match banner demanded more stability on and off the pitch. And after conceding four second-half goals to Rennes, Baloney's Metz men needed a response. This though wasn't what anyone in the Stade Saint-Sophorien had in mind. Ilman Nday felled and just a minute before the hour mark, Abubakar Lowe sent off. When things aren't going your way though, sometimes you need a slice of luck. Just six minutes after going a man down, Sheikh Sabali was absolutely enthralled with his strike. Although helped out by OM's midfield duo. Not likely to care though, with Senegalese's first ever top-flight goal. OM looking around for leaders, but things went from bad to worse. Metz hadn't scored twice and had a man sent off in over 22 years. No chance for the first, but a disaster for Paulo Lopez to allow Georges Mikotadze to spy the way to goal. The Lyon-born Georgian international with an assist on matchday one, now setting Metz on a path to a potential victory. Les Olympiens though had won seven of their last four team visits and they should have drawn level. Jordan Verete providing the drive from midfield. Ndeye should have hit the back of the net. This one of three times the visitors hit the woodwork. Yet they used the ball better to make the most of their man advantage. After a tough introduction to French football, Vitinha looks set for a more productive campaign. A venomous strike that Okidjo could not handle. The Portuguese with two goals in two, as many as in his first 14 in the French top-flight. Vitinha's first goal away from the orange velodrome, enough to salvage a point, but it couldn't hide another painful day in a rocky start to Marcelinho's spell on the OM bench. Metz with a warrior spirit, earning their first point of the campaign.