This Friday evening at the opening of the 18th day of the championship, Montpellier, last, overthrew Monaco (2-1) and breathe a little.
Red lantern of the championship, Montpellier finally woke up and gave itself a little hope by winning 2-1 against Monaco, lacking results for two months, Friday at La Mosson at the opening of the 18th day of League 1.
A double from Jordanian striker Mousa Tamari (54th, 82nd) allowed Jean-Louis Gasset's team to overthrow the Monegasques, dominant and in the lead at the break thanks to a goal from German defender Thilo Kehrer (31st).
Beaten last week by Angers (3-1), the partners of goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte, author of numerous saves, responded to the call of their coach Jean-Louis Gasset and have apparently regained some mental virtues. Is this finally a trigger for emerging from the crisis? In any case, it is a welcome boost for the Héraultais two months after their last success against Brest (3-1). Thanks to this third victory of the season, the MHSC returns to Le Havre but temporarily remains in last place.
Monaco is no longer moving forward. The first places on the podium, occupied by Paris SG and Marseille, are moving away and ASM will lose its third place whatever the result of the match between its pursuers Nice (4th, 30 pts and best goal difference) and Lille (5th, 29 pts), who face each other in the evening in the North. Lyon (6th, 28 pts) could also move ahead of them in the standings.
-Doubling with hope
The Monegasques, who have won only one of their last eight matches in all competitions, are also preparing to face the English side Aston Villa on Tuesday in the Champions League with confidence at low tide. Revengeful after its elimination in the Coupe de France on Tuesday in Reims (1-1, 3-1 tab), the Principality club had nevertheless started the meeting well and put Montpellier under pressure during the first 20 minutes.
Hérault goalkeeper Lecomte, captain for a day, multiplied the miracles in front of Ben Seghir (2nd, 17th) or on a header from Salisu (15th), before being surprised by a recovery at the near post from Kehrer at half-time. hour of play (31st). Organized around a low block (5-3-2), Montpellier relied on counterattacks, but neither Mousa Tamari (25th) nor Wahbi Khazri (35th) won their duel with Radoslaw Majecki, established after an absence. of a month.
More aggressive after the break, Jean-Louis Gasset's team then wasted a first opportunity through Khazri (51st), before Tamari tormented the Monegasque defense with his speed. In the 54th minute, the Jordanian international equalized by intercepting a back pass from Kassoum Ouattara for his goalkeeper Majecki (54th). And eight minutes from the end (82nd), Tamari, served by Arnaud Nordin, added a second goal by deceiving Majecki with a shot at the near post. And offered the victory of hope to Montpellier.
Related News :