OL bring down Montpellier at the last second!

Return to action this Saturday for Olympique Lyonnais who hosted the Montpellier club on the lawn of the Groupama Stadium for the 16th day of Ligue 1. For this first of the year 2025, OL, who remained on four consecutive victories before its defeat against PSG, had to regain good momentum. In the event of a victory this Saturday, OL could move back ahead of Nice to 5th place in the standings. For its part, the MHSC had the mission to take points to save itself at all costs this season with only 9 units taken since the start of the season. The Montpellier residents were 5 points behind Nantes, the first non-relegation team at kick-off. With Jean-Louis Gasset at the helm for several matches, the Hérault club is on the verge of falling into Ligue 2 and has had a string of poor results. For this poster, Pierre Sage decided to do without Rayan Cherki who started on the bench. It was Benrhama who played in support of the striker Fofana on the left, Nuamah on the right and Lacazette in front. Abner and Maitland-Niles played on the flanks of the defense. MHSC played in 4-2-3-1 with Maksimovic and Sagnan in central defense, Omeragic and Ferri in the double pivot in the middle. Savanier in support of Adams in front. The first period got off to a flying start with a lot of intensity.

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Following good pressure from Al-Tamari on Maitland-Niles, the Jordanian striker recovered the ball and gave the ball to Jordan Ferri at the edge of the area. The Frenchman tried his luck, but his attempt hit the bar (3rd). On a corner taken by Savanier for the MHSC after Ferri’s hit on the bar, Omeragic crossed his head, but Perri kept pace to make a big save (4th). With great collective action, OL tried to react. Malick Fofana was served by Alexandre Lacazette at the corner of the area, the Belgian got on his right foot and curled his shot which passed quite well over (6th). On a pass, Jordan Veretout pierced the entire Montpellier block and found Saïd Benrahma in the middle. The latter played a 3 against 2, but he did not fix enough and thus launched Fofana too early in the depth (20th). A few minutes later, alone in the middle, the Algerian tried his luck from afar, but the ball flew away (23rd). On a touch, Montpellier tried to cross, the ball was returned and returned to Omeragic. He attempted a half-volley at the corner of the area, but the ball went over (27th). From a Lyon cross, Lecomte caught the ball then quickly launched Al-Tamari who had started alone against Caleta-Car but the Croatian made a fantastic return to counter the Jordanian’s attempt (31st). A few minutes after an off-target attempt from Savanier (35th), Adams was found in transition then got rid of Maitland-Niles before entering the area and hitting with his left foot, but the shot ended up in the side net outside (37th).

Montpellier can have a lot of regrets!

As halftime approached, everything came to a head. Broke in the area, Savanier remained on the ground for a long time, without however winning a penalty (38th). Then with enormous work at the start from Lacazette who kept the ball in a pivot on a long play from Perri, the Gones captain managed to keep control of the ball to shift Nuamah to the right who curled a shot grazing the post ( 41st). If the score was still goalless at the break, the quality of the match suggested an extraordinary second half. When we returned from the locker room, the pace remained the same. Indeed, with a good ball from Maitland-Niles for Veretout in depth, the former Marseillais attempted a shot which was blocked by Omeragic. By blocking this attempt, the Hérault defender almost deceived Lecomte but the MHSC goalkeeper made a good reflex. Lacazette followed the ball well to place a header that Lecomte caught the ball (48th). Jean-Louis Gasset’s players believed they had opened the score. With a recovery in midfield then an overflow from Sylla who progressed with the ball, Ferri was served behind and the midfielder landed a shot with the flat of his right foot which deceived Perri, but the goal was refused for a Ferri fault on Fofana (55th). The last half hour of play was an opportunity for the two coaches to make some tactical changes, notably with the entry into play of Rayan Cherki and Corentin Tolisso, particularly on the Lyon side, while Jean-Louis Gasset called for the rescue Wahbi Khazri. On a very good movement on the left with Lacazette in pivot who turned around and launched Fofana perfectly. The Belgian attempted a cross towards his side who unfortunately placed a left-footed shot that was too crossed (65th).

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Montpellier may have regrets about this match. With a very good through ball from Khazri for Al-Tamari, the Jordanian striker went to goal in the duel with Mata, got rid of the Lyon defender and served Fayad, alone in front of the goal, to finish against Perri but he completely missed his volley (75th). Mata’s attempt was blocked a few minutes later (79th). Luca Perri then intervened on Khazri’s free kick (84th). Launched by Cherki in depth, Fofana hesitated too much and did not have time to shoot (86th). As we were heading towards a goalless draw, the ball arrived in the area towards Lacazette with his back to goal who again did an enormous job to get rid of his opponent and cross. The leather was countered but came back to Tolisso who struck. First blocked just in front of the line by Tchato, Fayad touched the ball again by putting it in his own goal while trying to clear it (90th + 1, 1-0). The last action of Cherki (90th + 5) and Sainte-Luce (90th + 7) produced nothing and Lyon locked in its success (1-0). In the standings, OL still remains in a good position and climbs to 5th position with today’s success, while Montpellier lets slip a precious point and is still in the red zone with this 18th and last place. Next weekend, Les Gones will travel to Brittany to face Stade Brestois. The Héraultais will welcome SCO Angers at home, during the 17th day of the French championship.