MHSC – OM: Becir Omeragic, recovered from injury, will be the only operational central defender against Marseille
|Becir Omeragic jouera bien contre Marseille, dimanche. Midi Libre – Alexandre Dimou
Given the suspensions and absences, questions arise concerning the Montpellier defense that will face Marseille on Sunday, October 20 at 8:45 p.m.
"There are people at training", ironizes an observer, passing through Grammont. Michel Der Zakarian's squad, amputated by eleven players during the last defeat in Reims (4-2), is plumping up somewhat during this international break. There are people training, there are also people: Tamari, Maamma, Issoufou who are working towards a return to competition.
Conversely, there is no one in central defense to host Marseille on Sunday, October 20 (8:45 p.m.), in a sold-out Mosson stadium. Montpellier's concern revolves around the axis, symbol of a defensive sector in tatters ((21 goals).
“We have been bare in central defense for a while now. Fortunately, Becir is back”, laments Der Zak. Due to the suspension of Modibo Sagnan, who is also treating a recalcitrant knee, the Montpellier coach has the only Swiss international, recovered from knee pain, to form a creaking hinge. Without Christopher Jullien, who tore his ligaments in May, nor Kiki Kouyaté, who had surgery on his right knee ten days ago and “not expected before the winter break”, Der Zak is tinkering. And think about the best option.
A starter in Rennes (3-0) and Reims, the young Stefan Dzodic, a midfielder, does not display the reflexes or the aggressiveness of a defender. And his teammate: Craig Mamilo, put to the test during the preparation, does not offer any more guarantees.
“We must raise our level in defense”
So, Der Zak is studying other avenues. And is considering drawing on the defensive midfielders, bailed out by the returns of Rabby Nzingoula, who has served his suspension, and Khalil Fayad, operational after a foot injury. “I don't have a full-back who can play in the middle. It could be little Dzodic or someone else”, he says.
Furious after the defeat in Reims, “where no one wanted to defend”, Der Zak expects a different attitude from his team. “We are in big trouble in defense. Even though we took a beating in Paris (6-0), we have conceded 21 goals in seven games. We must raise our level in defense, like our full-backs. We must have this rage to win duels, be marking and fighting. If we want to win games, we must be better”, he warns.
Benjamin Lecomte is back
In search of solutions, the Montpellier coach does not rule out a new turnover at goalkeeper. After the first four games, he had left out the experienced Benjamin Lecomte and given a chance to the former Espoir international Dimitry Bertaud. “I'm thinking about it, you'll see”, he evades.
If there are more people on the pitch in Grammont, the three wingers: Mousa Tamari, who returned to Jordan for a week, Othmane Maamma, who is working with a fitness trainer, and Yanis Issoufou are not expected on Sunday against Marseille.
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