MHSC: three matches in twelve days at Mosson, as a turning point of the season

Fayad, Savanier and the Pailladins are at a turning point in their season. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

Michel Der Zakarian's team faces three matches at La Mosson, decisive for its season. Starting with Nice, in the Coupe de France, this Wednesday (8:30 p.m.).

Twelve days, three matches and a tipping point. Twelve days, a round of 16 of the Coupe de France on Wednesday in front of Nice to dream, to get away from the hassle of a new season escorted by dizziness, and two championship matches against two direct competitors for maintenance .

One who pays for a failed transfer of power but paid the price in the winter transfer window to get out: Lyon, the other who has lived for more than a decade in the elevator: Metz.

Also read: MHSC: bad starts, bad attack, bad series… Montpellier is not coping

This is not one, but three “Cup” that Montpellier is preparing to play in the heart of a winter that resembles the two previous ones. As if since 2021, Montpellier had fallen a level in the hierarchy, as if it were allergic to serenity.

The day after February 18, and the 22nd day, it will be time for him to take stock. And know which horizon the key of twelve opens to him.
" We are not moving forward quickly, especially since we have already taken four points ", grumbled Michel Der Zakarian after the draw against Lille (0 -0).

Powered

Since October, marked by the interruption of the match in front of Clermont (4-2) and the termination of Mamadou Sakho's contract, Montpellier has not lost to the contenders for the podium , a sign of potential, but only won two matches (Toulouse, in Metz).

After one point in three games (Brest, Lille and Rennes), Montpellier is moving forward while others are learning to walk again. Like Lyon or Lorient, boosted by the transfer window, or even Toulouse.

Without a point, without character and offensive power outside, the dynamic of December evaporated during the holidays: Montpellier carries around a malaise, advances to the edge of the cliff and packs its mattress on the relegated.
With only three points ahead of the barrage, he is now dealing with a threat that has until now been kept at bay.

Return of the Africans

Between the winter break and this Mosson trilogy, Der Zak no longer has the same squad on hand. With the elimination at the African Cup of the nations of Mali of Kouyaté and Sacko, who return this Tuesday, of Cameroon of Tchato and of Guinea of ​​Sylla, who returned to Grammont on Monday, and the crossover at transfer window between Maxime Estève and Modibo Sagnan, the defense regains all its strength against Nice or more surely against Lyon. With in particular three right side and three left side.

Also read: MHSC: the Africans on their way back, before the round of 16 of the Coupe de France against Nice

The attack, the heart of the Montpellier standstill, is waiting to refuel. Goals, play and players, especially the trio imagined at the dawn of the season. Winger Mousa Tamari, who is playing today in the semi-final of the Asian Cup with Jordan, Arnaud Nordin, in the recovery phase after a new injury, and Akor Adams, upset since the truce due to lower back pain, will not be there in front of Nice.

The two winter recruits: Yann Karamoh and Tanguy Coulibaly, who have the same profile as Tamari or Nordin, or even Wahbi Khazri, replaced as center forward, must do better than help out this attack. And unlock it with the key of twelve.

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