Coupe de France: for his first with the MHSC, rookie Silvan Hefti offered real promises

Silvan Hefti (à droite) a déjà paru très complémentaire de son partenaire en défense, son compatriote Becir Omeragic (à gauche). MAXPPP – CRUZ

Pour sa première avec le MHSC, le latéral droit suisse s’est mis en évidence, samedi 6 janvier, lors du succès à Amiens (1-2) en Coupe de France.

On Saturday, Silvan Hefti celebrated his premiere. By a little travel incident. The flight scheduled for Sunday morning from Roissy having been canceled, the MHSC had to fall back in disaster and recover the private plane chartered by … on Saturday evening. AS Monaco to go to Lille. During the journey taking the Montpellier squad from Amiens to the Lille metropolis, the Swiss full-back will at least have had time to think back to his first match in Pailladin colors. And to the promises delivered during this baptism on the lawn of an Amiens unicorn mounted with astonishing tranquility.

The same as that displayed by Michel Der Zakarian, when commenting on the performance of his latest recruit, who arrived at the start of the week. "We had been following him for a while. We almost did it during my first visit (2017-21). He's a boy who has a good foot, an ability to repeat efforts, to put in good passes, good crosses. It will do us good,” noted the pailladin coach.

As if nothing had happened

S’we will obviously have to judge him in the light of other oppositions, from Sunday in Brest for example, the Swiss in any case got his foot in the door without appearing never troubled by the stakes of a first. At 26 years old, the former Swiss international Espoirs (10 caps) is not a partridge of the year. After Saint-Gall, the Young Boys of Bern and Genoa, from where he arrived on loan with an option to buy, he discovered his fourth professional club and his third championship in Montpellier.

But if there were doubts, they resided more in his physical form or his rhythm after a discreet start to the season in Italy (1 start in the league, two in Cups, six appearances). A lack of playing time which was not felt on Saturday.

With Omeragic, a natural understanding

In the role of right piston, Hefti paced his corridor, without interruption and without fuss. Although he allowed himself a nice aerial check on the touchline, he always limited himself to being efficient, like the good cross that his former Genoan partner Yeboah would have had to materialize in the 27th minute. Then he launched Khazri on the action of Montpellier's first goal (42nd).

But to this offensive impact, he also added defensive promise. Even if he was beaten in the air by Mafouta on the Amiens goal, his 100% Swiss association with Becir Omeragic seemed natural. Never partners but often adversaries until now, the two Swiss people have communicated a lot and worked together. With the same concern for sobriety, the same rigor.

The two usual occupants of the post, Falaye Sacko and Enzo Tchato, left for the CAN, Silvan Hefti was expected. Saturday, it took place and perhaps initiated new competition. Between now and their return, he will have several opportunities to confirm this. Other trips, not always as hectic.