Metz were coming into a second successive Ligue 1 promotion/relegation play-off tie after losing to Saint-Étienne last season. The familiar settings allowed the hosts to begin on the front foot as Kevin Van Den Kerkhof and Jessy Deminguet fired efforts wide of the target.
However, Reims went millimetres away from breaking the deadlock as the game approached the half-hour mark, when John Patrick saw his goalbound effort cleared off the line.
Looking to make an immediate impact on his return after missing the previous match through suspension, Reims’ top-scorer Keito Nakamura fired a fierce free-kick inches over the top of the crossbar not long after to give Metz goalkeeper Pape Sy something to think about.
Nonetheless, his opposite number, Yehvann Diouf, was the one composing his thoughts seven minutes before half time, while picking the ball from the back of the net. Reims failed to clear the ball to a safe enough distance, and Metz made them pay as Matthieu Udol headed home from close range.
After failing to register a shot on target in the first half, you could be sure Reims manager Samba Diawara would have reminded his side that their seven-season stay in the top flight was at stake.
And his side came flying out for the restart and levelled within seven minutes of the second half as Sergio Akieme whipped a sublime set-piece straight onto Cédric Kipré’s head to secure Reims’ equaliser.
Seeing their advantage taken away so soon after the restart, Metz responded assertively as Diouf was alert at his near post to keep out Morgan Bokele Mputu’s effort. The remainder of the high-stakes contest was played out at a relatively quiet pace, with neither side willing to take a risk going forward.
Inseparable at full time, Reims head into the second leg in nine days time with the advantage of being back at the Stade Auguste Delaune. However, it would be very unwise to count Metz out of the tie after they amassed a divisional-high 29 away points in Ligue 2 this season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Matthieu Udol (Metz)