Ligue 1: Nigerian striker Akor Adams uncertain for MHSC's trip to Rennes

Akor Adams, ici face à Lille (0-0), n'a plus marqué en L1 depuis le 29 octobre. Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

Touché, l'avant-centre montpelliérain pourrait ne pas participer au déplacement en Bretagne, samedi 3 février.  

Montpellier is not spoiled. While it is struggling to score in Ligue 1, the Hérault club may have to do without its striker Akor Adams, this Saturday in Rennes, during the 20th day of the championship. 

"Adams is uncertain", announced Michel Der Zakarian this Thursday at a press conference. "He suffers from lower back pain", detailed the Hérault coach following a training during which his attacker did not set foot on the pitch. 

Adams in famine

The Nigerian had already suffered back problems after returning from the winter break. He was notably spared in Amiens (1-2), during a 32nd final of the Coupe de France spent on the bench. 

🔜⚽️ 𝑱-𝟐 avant 𝑺𝑹𝑭𝑪 – 𝑴𝑯𝑺𝑪 ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/rysP4AH5RH

— MHSC (@MontpellierHSC) February 1, 2024

Adams had regained his starting place at the forefront of the attack, at Brest (2-0) and against Lille (0-0). Without however succeeding in finding the net. With the exception of his double in the Coupe de France, against Feignies-Aulnoye (4-0) in the round of 16, the former terror of the Norwegian championship has not scored for ten L1 matches and their double against TFC on October 29.  

If his withdrawal were to be confirmed, Michel Der Zakarian could reappoint Wahbi Khazri to the center forward position, as in the Cup. "There is Wahbi (Khazri) who can play, the young people from the center, the little Junior (Ndiaye). We make do with what we have. They say that we don't let young people play. They're going to have their chance, it's up to them to seize it, he explained on Thursday. Unless he immediately makes Yann Karamoh, very likely recruit. 

Nordin "quickly", Sagnan "ready to start"

What is certain is that Der Zak will once again have to do without Arnaud Nordin, whose season looks like a series of glitches. Starting against Lille last Sunday, the winger left at the break, victim of an injury to his right thigh. "He will recover quickly, it's not a big injury", said the Montpellier coach. 

👋✍️🆕 𝑩𝑰𝑬𝑵𝑽𝑬𝑵𝑼𝑬 𝑴𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒃𝒐 pic.twitter.com/eaU1YJ3Dp0

— MHSC (@MontpellierHSC) February 1, 2024

Which should, however, count on the other reinforcement, defender Modibo Sagnan. A few minutes after his arrival at the MHSC was made official this Thursday, the now ex-Utrecht player took part in his first session at Grammont. "He is ready to start", estimated his new coach who expects his team to "let go of the horses". "We must rediscover the taste for scoring, we's not just here to defend", urges Der Zak, who would like to let the wheel turn.