“It's a billiard table”: the MHSC lawn redone during the off-season after being affected by a fungus

La pelouse du MHSC a été entièrement refaite cet été. Midi Libre – SYLVIE CAMBON

Affected by a fungus in previous summers, the pitch at the Montpellier stadium was completely redone during the off-season.

“It's a billiard table”, exclaims Michel Der Zakarian without irony. On Thursday, three days before the season opener at home against Strasbourg (5 p.m.), his players enjoyed the pitch redone from top to bottom during the off-season.

During the summer, the Métropole, owner of the stadium, rebuilt the controversial pitch at the Mosson stadium. His services have thoroughly renewed the soil before laying a hybrid lawn identical to the lawns at the Grammont training center.

Pyriculariose

A year ago, the Montpellier coach banged his fist on the table very hard during a meeting with elected officials from the Métropole. Der Zak had complained about the disastrous state of the lawn infected by a fungus: Pyriculariosis.

For several seasons, due to the heatwave and humidity, the pitch was losing its colour, drying out and showing a bumpy terrain, not very compatible with the high level and the specifications of the League. Thus, in 2017, the PSG players were furious at the state of the pitch, which they said was the cause of the draw (0-0) conceded to Montpellier and the end to their winning streak.

Read also: MHSC: between the order of the game and the disorder of the transfer window, what squad for Montpellier this season ?

Last year, Montpellier started the season with two draws against Le Havre and Rennes, as well as a defeat against Reims on a playing field, “considered a potatoes unworthy of Ligue 1" by the then Breton coach Bruno Genesio.

To face Strasbourg on Sunday, Nantes in two weeks, or Auxerre at the end of September, the Montpellier team will have "a pool table. It's night and day compared to last season", Der Zak rejoices.

Central defender Modibo Sagnan, who had a knee injury, was able to appreciate it. Having been taken off from the start in Mainz for the final preparation match (3-1) and rested since the start of the week, the Malian international took part in the session. A reassuring test three days before the resumption of the championship on Sunday (5 p.m.) against Strasbourg.