Reims – MHSC: “We must collect the points to confirm the maintenance”, hopes Michel Der Zakarian

Michel Der Zakarian hopes that the trip to Reims will be one of maintenance. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

Montpellier travels to Reims on Sunday April 17, still in the race for Europe, with the ambition of getting the points it lacks to maintain.

Put an end to the race to maintain. Montpellier, frustrated by the draw obtained in Clermont (1-1), heads to Champagne on Sunday April 21 to complete a turbulent season and finish in peace. "We have been working on options since the start of the season, we are not going to change them. Now, we need to collect the points to confirm our retention in Ligue 1,  said coach Michel Der Zakarian, this Friday during the press conference. "That's our goal. In any case, when we approach a match, it's to win it",  he clarified.

Five days before the end of a 15th season in a row in Ligue 1, Montpellier is seven points ahead of the play-off: Lorient (a match late ahead of Paris SG) and the first to be relegated: Metz. And an almost complete workforce. Only left-back Théo Sainte-Luce, who is nursing a thigh injury, and midfielder Jordan Ferri, suspended, are unavailable to face a Reims team, still a candidate for Europe in the heart of France. ;an enlarged platoon.

Nordin remained in the room

This Friday, under the Grammont sun, almost all the players participated in ball tennis or work in front of the goal, with the exception of Arnaud Nordin, who remained indoors. "Arnaud stayed with the physiotherapists, he rode a bike. There is nothing alarming, justified Der Zak, regarding his most successful striker since the winter break.

The former Stéphanois breathes life into an attack which still lacks effectiveness. "In front of Clermont, we failed to realize the chances we created, we could have won this match in the second half, but we didn't have them put to the bottom", notes Der Zakarian.

🎙 𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑭
🗣 Michel Der Zakarian

⚡️ #SDRMHSC pic.twitter.com/LxxXf0aQAF

— MHSC (@MontpellierHSC) April 19, 2024

The confirmed return of Jordanian winger Mousa Tamari, absent in Clermont, broadens his options within an attack where Tanguy Coulibaly and Yann Karamoh scored their first in turn but.

In attack, in defense, on the sides or in the center, the Montpellier coach has multiple solutions to train his team. "The right solution is when you win. It's being effective when the players are in the opposing box to score goals", he warns.

Also read: VIDEO. Clermont-MHSC: "This point is welcome, we are happy not to have lost", Michel Der Zakarian and the MHSC are content with the draw

In the midfield, in the absence of Ferri, he could recover the young Khalil Fayad. The U20 international has not played a minute in Ligue 1 since the international break, but found some rhythm in reserve last week.

Who to replace suspended Ferri ?

"He needed to play, he lacks training. Since his return from selection, he has been ill or injured in the back. He 'laquo; detrained », he had to put on a diaper again to get back to a good level", reports to the MHSC coach, who can also call on Léo Leroy, starter in front of PSG, or Becir Omeragic, who helped out at Le Havre in the absence of Joris Chotard.

Will Der Zak be inspired by the profile of Reims to refine his choices ? Still, he has not forgotten the match at La Mosson and the first defeat of the season (1-3). "It's an athletic team that is inclined towards offensive play. We will have to counter their offensive play", he assures. "On the way out, she crushed us."