the FC Metz find this Saturday against Amiens (7 p.m.) one league 2 championship which he had left in 2019. But the season which opens will be unlike any other, with a calendar and a new formula. Explanations.
Truce in the fall and Boxing day
First upheaval: the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (November 21-December 18). Unlike other editions of the World Cup, it will take place in the middle of the season to avoid excessive heat in the host country. FC Metz, like all Ligue 2 (and Ligue 1) clubs, will have to observe an unusual truce at the end of autumn. Thus, the Grenats will move on the lawn of Paris FC for the 15th day on the weekend of November 12. He will then only return to the championship on December 26, at St Symphorien against Niort, followed by a trip to Grenoble on the 30th. And this is one of the other novelties of this season: a French “boxing day”i.e. two days contested between Christmas and New Year, on the model of the English championship.
Two places to ride
Another change: ascent and descent rules. Indeed, this 2022-2023 season is the one during which Ligue 1 begins its return to 18 clubs (instead of 20 currently). Four teams will therefore be relegated to Ligue 2 next June. And to do the opposite, FC Metz must imperatively finish in the top two of the standings. Forget the play-offs, the play-offs and a potential third ticket for the lift. At the bottom of the ranking, also be careful: the last 4 teams in the table will go down to National. The Garnets hope they don’t have to worry about it…
Finally, Ligue 2 does not benefit from the same tools as Ligue 1: no VAR or goal-line technology (or goal line technology) to help referees in their decision-making. And then, since 2019, pizzas have given way to tires: we no longer say Domino’s Ligue 2 but Ligue 2 BKT…