“Everyone sees us in Ligue 2”: Michel Der Zakarian's MHSC is ready to take on the challenge of Ligue 1

Michel Der Zakarian was in a press conference this Friday, August 16. Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

Montpellier coach Michel Der Zakarian is ready to take on the challenge of a complicated season that begins this Sunday, August 18 at La Mosson against Strasbourg (5 p.m.). He will be able to count on the presence of Sagnan and Kouyaté to form his central defense.

“Everyone sees us in Ligue 2, we'll see at the end of the season”, Michel Der Zakarian said this Friday, August 16, at the dawn of Montpellier's 16th season in Ligue 1, which begins Sunday, August 18 (5 p.m.) at La Mosson against Strasbourg, a direct opponent.

The Montpellier coach challenges his players and his team before tackling the 50th anniversary season. A season approached with a variable-geometry squad. “Anything can happen. When you are a coach, you adapt”, he says, ready to deal with a change in his group before the end of the transfer window set for August 30.

🎙 𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑭
🗣 Michel Der Zakarian

⚡️#MHSCRCSA pic.twitter.com/eaDZjQ3Otv

— MHSC (@MontpellierHSC) August 16, 2024

With Kouyaté and Sagnan

At the end of August, living day by day, Der Zak can at least rely on the two Malian central defenders: Modibo Sagnan and Kiki Kouyaté .

"They had treatment this morning, they worked well yesterday and they are fit"  to play in front of the Alsatians. Sagnan, weakened by knee discomfort, was spared at the start of the week after missing the last preparation match against Mainz (3-1) last week.

Hampered during preparation by an inflammation in his knee, Kouyaté has resumed collective training since Tuesday and will be a reliable resource if necessary.

Fayad and Mincarelli sidelined, Khazri suspended

Otherwise, midfielder Khalil Fayad and left-back Lucas Mincarelli, affected respectively in a thigh and a knee, continue their work with a physical trainer. “They should rejoin the group after the match in Paris”, specifies Der Zak.

The other left-back: Théo Saint-Luce is preparing to join Clairefontaine, the FFF's national center, to do muscle strengthening for three weeks. Defender Christopher Jullien and Axel Guéguin, who had knee surgery, are extending their convalescence.

Read also:“I put on the battle armor”: MHSC goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte takes stock before the resumption of Ligue 1

For this first meeting of the season, striker Wahbi Khazri and young defender Craig Mamilo, used during friendly matches, are suspended.

This plethora of absentees opens the door to the youngsters and perhaps to Othmane Maamma, who signed his first contract following a successful end to last season. “He has things in hand and the ball at his feet. It's up to him to show his qualities”, urges the Montpellier technician.

Read also: MHSC: the drop in TV rights is hampering the ambitions of Montpellier, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary this season

Der Zak does not deviate from his lietmotiv, nor from his line of conduct. He promises to be even more demanding with the youngsters who are promised to play another role in this team and this club.

“It's the first time I've started the season without a new recruit. That's how it is. It's a complicated year for a lot of clubs, we do with what we have and with the means we have”, he observes. Ready to escape Ligue 2.