Logically led at the break by Monaco, Montpellier turned everything around in the second thanks to an excellent Benjamin Lecomte in the cages and a lethal Mousa Al-Tamari in attack (2-1). La Paillade comes back to life while Monaco could lose its place on the podium and many illusions.
You can move to the bottom of the rankings or fight to stay and need a victory on either side to get back on track. At home, Montpellier was not favorite against Monaco. And yet, it was the Hérault club which won, at the cost of a second period where it mixed offensive realism and defensive seriousness against lively Asemists for 45 minutes before completely dying out afterwards ( 2-1).
Monaco pounds Lecomte
La Paillade wanted to put pressure immediately but it was Eliesse Ben Seghir who created the first opportunity, a twist of the law masterfully diverted by Benjamin Lecomte (2nd). In response, Issiaga Sylla left the Rocher players on the left side but Mousa Al-Tamari was unable to properly regain his cross (3rd).
The stage was set and the ASM set its pace, forcing the MHSC to endure. Established at the forefront, Mika Biereth came to hinder Lecomte’s recovery but Ben Seghir did not take advantage of it, not aiming his shot in a hurry (12th). The corners have multiplied and Soungoutou Tall found himself alone at the far post but the defender did not adjust his sights (16th). The waves were breaking and Ben Seghir again saw Lecomte deliver a heavy shot from a corner (17th). On the ensuing corner, the goalkeeper flew to catch a header Mohammed Salisu (18e).
Not very dangerous, Montpellier nevertheless created a huge opportunity. Deliberate and successful with a favorable counterattack on the right side of the area, Al-Tamari aimed for the opposite net but the frame narrowly escaped (25th).
However, control of the match was with Monegasque. And on yet another corner, Lamine Camara found Thilo Kherer at the near post, in motion unlike the Hérault defense: the captain opened the scoring with a header (32nd).
Stunned, Montpellier nevertheless had an opportunity to equalize, on a counter express led by Al-Tamari. The Jordanian shifted Wahbi Khazrialone to strike but who shot straight at Radoslaw Majecki (35e).
This second missed situation therefore left Monaco ahead on the scoreboard. And the shots continued to come. Found deep down, Maghnes Akliouche had a reduced space to shoot but it took a foot save from Lecomte, already his 7th of the match, to keep La Paillade in the match (45th).
-Al-Tamari, two solid gold goals
The second period resumed and was quickly stopped because the ultra pailladins put on techno and refused to turn off the music, under the desperate gaze of the Montpellier leaders and staff. The game resumed after a three-minute interruption.
It had the merit of cheering up the people of Hérault. Already seen several times at the forefront in the first period, Sylla managed to send a cross back to Khazri but the Tunisian found Majecki’s gloves at ground level (52nd). Then on a ball recovered by Sylla, Savanier transmitted in depth to Al-Tamari who took the better of a Kassoum Ouattara unsure before dribbling past Majecki and pushing the ball deep (55th).
The pace weakened but, at that moment, Montpellier finally showed a conquering and motivated face. Came into play, Arnaud Nordin sent a shiver through the Mosson by unleashing a heavy shot without angle and off target (68th).
Monaco had given up but its precision from a corner almost brought it a second goal: once again at the near post, Magassa placed a header slammed in the air by Lecomte and the ball came back down… on top of the transversal (73rd).
And ultimately, it was not so surprising if Al-Tamari, served by Nordin after having fixed the defense, returned to his left foot before striking victoriously at the near post (82nd).
Untenable, he left his camp to pass three Monegasques but his right shot went over (90th). At that point, 9 minutes of added time were called. Biereth, in an ideal position in the center, found Lecomte, quickly gone to the ground, on his way (90th + 3). ASM was affordable to at least save a point. Magassa timidly tried once again, without success (90th + 8).
Montpellier is still far from being saved but it is back on par with Le Havre with 12 points, 4 lengths behind Saint-Étienne, the roadblock. For its part, Monaco wins. If OM wins on Sunday, Le Rocher will be 8 points from 2nd place and both Nice and Lille, who face each other this Friday, could take 3rd place.
