Montpellier was counting on Maksimovic to stabilize its rearguard, the most feverish in the championship with 29 goals conceded in nine games at the time of his arrival. Unfortunately, we will have to do without the experienced central defender until the end of the season! Engaged in a race to maintain, particularly with ASSE, the Southerners are going through hell this season!
Having passed through Naples, Torino and even Genoa, the former Serbian international (25 caps) embodied valuable experience. But after only a few matches, fate took its toll: taken out on a stretcher after a tackle on Alexandre Lacazette, Maksimovic saw his Hérault adventure brutally interrupted. The blow is tough for Montpellier HSC. Already bottom of Ligue 1, the Hérault club will have to do without Nikola Maksimovic until the end of the season. Arriving in October to strengthen a defense in distress, the Serbian defender (33 years old) suffered a serious injury to the hamstring of the right thigh during the 16th day against Lyon (0-1). His absence prolongs the ordeal of an MHSC in great difficulty.
Gasset faces a defensive headache
His unavailability adds to a long list of absentees in defense. Boubakar Kouyaté and Christopher Jullien are still on the flank, leaving Jean-Louis Gasset with only two pivotal trade options: Becir Omeragic and Modibo Sagnan. An alarming observation as Montpellier is already six points behind Nantes (17th) and is preparing for a fierce fight to maintain its position.
A hard blow for an ASSE competitor
This injury to Maksimovic further weakens a direct competitor of AS Saint-Étienne. If the Greens, promoted to Ligue 1, still have to struggle to ensure their own survival, the catastrophic situation in Montpellier could work in their favor. In this battle for the bottom of the table, every failure counts. It remains to be seen whether ASSE will be able to take advantage of it.
For the MHSC, the decision on an operation for Maksimovic is still pending, but his unavailability until the end of the season is no longer in doubt. One more hard blow in a season which is turning into a nightmare.
