MHSC: well helped by a strong Khazri, Montpellier snatches a good draw against Girona for its first test of the summer

Arnaud Nordin (à droite) et le MHSC avaient ouvert la marque sous le soleil d’Olot, samedi. MHSC

l'essentiel Grâce notamment à un doublé du Tunisien, Montpellier a réussi à accrocher un match nul 3-3 contre le troisième du dernier championnat d’Espagne, samedi 20 juillet à Olot (Catalogne), lors de son premier amical de l’intersaison.

He started as he finished. Having gone on vacation with a draw in Lens (2-2), on May 19, Montpellier HSC launched its friendly match campaign with a new score of parity against Girona FC, 3-3, Saturday in Olot .

At the foot of the Catalan volcanoes, on the high-level facilities of the Royal Verd where they will train until next Friday, the Héraultais did not win. But under a blazing sun, they delivered certain responses, in attitude and desire, against a team third in the last Spanish championship and qualified for the Champions League .

Dovbyk took advantage of a reduced defense

“It’s good for a first match,” said Michel Der Zakarian. We had put things in place in the ball exits, the attacks placed so as not to just make counterattacks. And we managed to apply them.

Against the Catalans who had played a first opposition on Wednesday against the Olot team, the Pailladin coach was able to appreciate the start of the match of his players. And the quick opening score from Arnaud Nordin, at the conclusion of a cross from Khalil Fayad (19th), then released for an alert to the adductors.

But the Spaniards also had some serious arguments to make. Among them, intense pressing, superior athletic abilities, not to mention a hell of a scorer. Best triggerman in La Liga last season (24 goals), the imposing Artem Dovbyk was quick to exploit the gaps in a weakened Montpellier defense.

Without Christopher Jullien, in convalescence, without "Kiki" Kouyaté, who remained in Grammont to treat a painful knee, Der Zak had chosen to associate the young Yvan Djemba Mbappé (19 years old), usual defensive midfielder, with Modibo Sagnan. The team could not have prevented the "pichichi" Ukrainian to take a cross at close range (24th), before letting it go behind his back for a surgical conclusion (36th).

Khazri sharp and concerned

"Of course there are errors, in marking or placement, on the goals conceded. But a lot of young people joined us and what they did was good", put the MHSC coach into perspective whose team, even completely renewed in the second half, continued to respond to the Spaniards. With a Mousa Tamari without shoulder protection, an Othmane Maamma as promising as ever but also Wahbi Khazri.

Positioned in the middle of an eleven of which Becir Omeragic wore the armband, the Tunisian appeared sharp and concerned as he began the last year of his contract in Montpellier. He was rewarded for it, with two goals – twice his total from last season –. The first on a penalty obtained by Junior Ndiaye (70th), the second on a low shot from around twenty meters (83rd).

"He arrived with less weight, he worked well. But we must constantly confirm", recalled Michel Der Zakarian. His men will have to, starting next Saturday, with a second test against the English from Southampton. But they have at least already shown real starting points.

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