MHSC: Montpellier end their preparation with a defeat in Mainz (3-1)

Akor Adams a trouvé le poteau. Archives Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

In addition to the defeat, Montpellier may have also lost their central defender Modibo Sagnan, who came off injured.  

It ended rather badly. Montpellier ended the preparation phase by losing (3-1) on Saturday to Mainz (Germany), a Bundesliga club, one week before the resumption of the championship. Beyond this new defeat, they may have lost their central defender Modibo Sagnan, replaced in the 6th minute following a knee problem, apparently.

Michel Der Zakarian's team, absent for this trip to Germany, completed the six weeks of preparation with four defeats conceded against the English of Southampton, the Italians of Fiorentina, Saint-Etienne, back in Ligue 1, and therefore Mainz.

Sacko involved in the goals conceded

On the banks of the Rhine, Montpellier paid a high price for the premature exit of Sagnan, replaced by Falaye Sacko. The versatile Malian defender, along with Becir Omeragic, was involved in all three German goals. A positioning error on a set piece and a pass error were the cause of the first two goals scored by Mainz (8th, 11th) just after he came on. On the third goal, at the very end of the match (89th), he was also trapped behind his back. Sacko stepped in in the middle due to Christopher Jullien's long convalescence (knee) and the injury of « Kiki » Kouyaté, who has not fully resumed with the group.

Montpellier conceded three new goals, but it was not all bad. Playmaker Téji Savanier reduced the score (27th) following a penalty, the third since the restart, after a foul caused by Arnaud Nordin. And, center forward Akor Adams, scorer Wednesday against Martigues (2-1), had two chances to equalize. The Nigerian striker missed the target on a cross from Savanier (45 + 1st). Then, he hit the post after a service from Nordin (61st).

With the probable starters

In the absence of Wahbi Khazri and Craig Mamilo, suspended next week, Franck Rizzetto and David Bechkoura, Der Zak's assistants, relied throughout the match on the probable starters promised to tackle the three initial matches of the championship.

Starting Tuesday, Montpellier will look ahead to its first league match on Sunday, August 18 (5 p.m.) at La Mosson against Strasbourg. A first test, but above all an important match against a direct opponent. Already. With which central defense ? With Modibo Sagnan ?