Montpellier hosts Stade Rennais in La Mosson, this Sunday (1 p.m.) on behalf of the 26th day of Ligue 1.
“We know it can change very quickly.” Daniel Congré is a sage whom no one will dare to call old. But at 35, the defender of Montpellier HSC knows the song. A Ligue 1 season is rarely a long calm river, but rather a marathon full of hunger and euphoria. Montpellier gave to know. And after two lows, in October and then mid-December-January, here he is again on the wave. Returned to the fore two-thirds of the championship, he has not yet chosen the direction of his future. The reception of Rennes, an opponent who is also a roller coaster, can greatly help him.
A move to play before the truce
“We arrive in the home straight and if we want to stay in the first part of the standings, we have to win. (…) By winning, we come back to equality (with one more match, Editor’s note) and that would be a good signal even though there will be a lot of matches left. “ Friday, Michel Der Zakarian summed it all up. His team, sparkling in Lyon last Saturday (2-1), a few weeks after being totally faltering, is at a crossroads. She can genuinely reconnect with an exciting fate after believing she lost it or revive a Europa League candidate and again drive a wedge between the continent and herself.
? It’s MATCH day
⚽️ #MHSCSRFC
⌚️ 13h
?️ @ Ligue1UberEats J26
? ️ La Mosson stadium pic.twitter.com/CFofmBvju2— MHSC (@MontpellierHSC) February 21, 2021
The challenge is exciting. It is all the more so since, like Téji Savanier, the MHSC has regained its splendor at the very moment when the weeks to come can propel it. After the Bretons, and by the international break, Laborde and its partners will continue a trip to Reims, the reception of Lorient, the derby at Costières and the arrival of Bordeaux. Nothing easy but, on paper, the impression of a real stroke to play.
On the condition still to pass on the body of these injured Rennes (read below). Which is not a trivial matter. Blow the “Breizh”, the MHSC has not done since May 2016 and the first leg (2-1), at the end of August, reminded him that he could be close but very far both from this opponent.
The challenge is great. It is further complicated by the absence of Ristic and especially Delort (9 goals in L1, 8 assists). Switching even more to the good side of the force is earned. And it is surely the moment.
Skuletic to replace Delort?
How to play without Delort? The MHSC had already tried to answer the question recently. Apart from Metz (1-1), he had not completely succeeded (defeats in Paris and against Lens). The relapse of the Sète striker (tear in the thigh) for several weeks forced him to try again. “Whether it’s Skuletic or Wahi, they have quality,” Congré slipped on Friday. In view of his qualities and his efficiency during his entries (3 goals, 7 appearances), Wahi has the arguments to start for the first time in L1, with a view to a three-way attack. But his resistance over the duration of a match can open the door to the Serbian giant, scorer against Dijon. Cozza, him, should occupy the left flank of a defense to four, in the absence of Ristic (adductors) and Oyongo (departure).
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