MHSC – PSG: Ferri, Khazri, Nordin and Sylla come out of the shadows.

Jordan Ferri, Arnaud Nordin, Wahbi Khazri et Issiaga Sylla retrouvent leur niveau au bon moment pour leur équipe. Midi Libre – Jean-Michel Mart

Less efficient or present, the major quartet from Montpellier is getting back into tune with a "rediscovered team" before challenging PSG, Sunday March 17, at La Mosson.

They were there without being there. They went through the first half of the season between shadow and darkness. Midfielder Jordan Ferri, vice-captain, striker Wahbi Khazri, winger Arnaud Nordin and left back Issiaga Sylla had playing time below the standards of confirmed players that they are.

Truncated or disrupted preparation ? Nordin and Sylla, influential last spring, were hounded by repeated injuries, coming and going between the field and the infirmary. Khazri and Ferri experienced a spell on the bench, sometimes even on the gap in the group for the Tunisian international.

Ferri, the Biter

Between the beginning of December and the Lyon reception on February 11, Jordan Ferri only started once. Small injury, paternity or tactical change: the experienced midfielder (32 years old) has chipped away at his status as an essential executive alongside his accomplices: Savanier and Chotard.

🎙 𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑭
🗣 Jordan Ferri

⚡️#MHSCPSG pic.twitter.com/EFYMvztIdu

— MHSC (@MontpellierHSC) March 15, 2024

The ex-Gone, with a strong character, doesn't like it. In Nice, in particular, he woke up. With the grinta of its beginnings and the recognized know-how of the Lyon school. "I was coming off a great season. I had a bit of a complicated start, like the whole team. If the team plays badly, we have a lot of responsibility when we are in the heart of the game. I got back to work. I feel better and better", he admits.

Also read: "If we get carried away now, we haven't understood anything" : MHSC midfielder Jordan Ferri speaks before the arrival of PSG

Nordin, the missing part

"He didn’played during the first half of the season", says Der Zak. From a thigh injury to a calf injury, the winger (25 years old) was the missing part of the first six months. Without him, the three-headed attack was shaky. With him, who is preparing to make a 6th start in a row against PSG, the attack somewhat masks his lack of efficiency. He even scores with his head (4 goals), offers a point of support and spaces, and complies with defensive requirements. He has everything Der Zak wants.

With the “Titi” Parisian, everything goes faster, everything is better. Especially when spring comes (nine goals and five assists last year).

Sylla is here

One before, one after CAN (Africa Cup of Nations). Issiaga Sylla (30 years old) was only the shadow of the Toulouse recruit, arriving in the 2023 transfer window, until the CAN. For six months, he was sometimes injured, often missing on the left side of the defense and the target of harsh criticism from Der Zak.

A passer, a scorer, unlucky in Marseille, he has found the light again and has been lighting up the left lane since his return from the Ivory Coast. After so much absence, he is present in front and behind. He is himself: simple, effective, he has once again become the left back who exceeded all expectations last spring. At the time when certain Montpellier leaders had even thanked the Béziers president of the TFC: Damien Comolli for having freed him.

Khazri, new agreement

He goes out through the door, he comes back through the window. Sidelined during two matches (Metz, Marseille), striker Wahbi Khazri, touched in his immense pride, responded on the field. By a notable entry in front of Strasbourg, then by a tenure in Nice.

False new to the Spanish, the ex-Tunisian international enjoyed winning, coming alongside Téji Savanier or replacing the playmaker to better solicit the two wingers. "He took advantage of the poor form of Akor (Adams). Technically, he is able to combine well with midfielders. I'm waiting until it's no longer in the box. Whether it is decisive by the goal or the pass. He was in Nice because he provokes the penalty", demands Der Zak

Before kick-off, he spoke, behaved like a leader, appreciated by President Nicollin. To awaken the Khazri of last spring and emerge from the shadows.

I subscribe to read more