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Re : ESM vs. EST (1 - 1): Blood and Gold held to a draw in Métlaoui

ESM vs. EST (1 - 1): Blood and Gold held to a draw in Métlaoui

The Blood and Gold starting XI against ES Métlaoui at the Municipal Stadium of Métlaoui on October 3, 2024. (Photo: ES Métlaoui)
 
Under the scorching sun at the Municipal Stadium of Métlaoui, Espérance de Tunis was held to a frustrating 1-1 draw against ES Métlaoui in the 4th round of the Tunisian Ligue 1. This second consecutive draw leaves a bitter taste for the Blood and Gold, especially considering they seemed poised for victory before a late lapse in concentration.

Miguel Cardoso made several changes to the starting lineup compared to the previous match against Stade Tunisien. Ayman Ben Mohamed, Larry Azouni, Abdramane Konaté, and Zineddine Kada all started. From the first whistle, Espérance showed positive intent and created several opportunities. However, their finishing let them down, a trend that would continue throughout the match.

By the 15th minute, Espérance dominated possession but struggled to make the final pass or find the target. A perfect example came in the 26th minute: after a beautiful build-up by Azouni, Youssef Belaïli unleashed a rocket that narrowly missed the post. Métlaoui refused to be overawed and responded in the 35th minute with a powerful strike that crashed against the crossbar, a real warning for the visitors.

The match continued with increasing intensity. Sasse, very active, forced Métlaoui goalkeeper Mouhib Chamekh into several saves (39', 43'). The same Sasse then caused a controversial incident just before half-time when he was brought down in the box, but the referee waved play on. The first half ended goalless (0-0), leaving some regrets for the Blood and Gold who had the chances to take the lead.

The second half began in the same vein, with both teams guilty of wayward efforts, like Tka's shot well over the bar in the 46th minute. ES Métlaoui responded with a dangerous counter-attack in the 56th minute but failed to capitalize.

The turning point of the match seemed to come in the 80th minute. After several decisive saves by Memmiche, who had been outstanding on several occasions (67', 74'), Espérance finally found the breakthrough thanks to Meriah. From a cleverly worked short corner by Belaïli, Meriah, with a precise finish, beat the opposing defense and sent the away fans into raptures (1-0).

Just when Espérance seemed to have secured the victory after working hard to find the opener, they conceded a late equalizer. From an Ismael Hermes cross, Mohamed-Hachem Khalifa, surprisingly unmarked in the box, took advantage to beat Memmiche and restore parity for Métlaoui (1-1, 90'+1).

Espérance tried to regain the lead in the dying minutes but to no avail. This 1-1 draw, snatched away by Métlaoui, leaves a bitter taste, especially after a performance where the Blood and Gold had shown control but also too much clumsiness in the final third. A result that highlights the need to improve their finishing and maintain concentration until the final whistle.

EST lineup: Memmiche, Bouchniba, Ben Mohamed (Ben Hamida 63'), Meriah(c), Tougaï, Azouni (Ayeb 78'), Konaté (Mokwana 63'), Tka (Bouguerra 78'), Sasse, Belaïli, and Kada (Abdelli 78').

Booked: Meriah.

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