The 2000-01 campaign delivered a turbulent but ultimately successful season of survival for FC Metz, with Les Grenats securing a 12th-place finish in Division 1. The team was constantly fighting to stay clear of the relegation places, enduring managerial turmoil that saw Gilbert Gress brought in mid-season in a desperate, though ultimately successful, attempt to avoid the drop. Leading the charge and providing the vital attacking spark was the dependable veteran striker Gérald Baticle, whose crucial haul of 15 goals proved decisive in a campaign defined by sheer grit. It was a stressful year for the Stade Saint-Symphorien faithful, but one that cemented their top-flight status for another season and remains a defining chapter of their modern history.