Lens – MHSC: Savanier gets lost in the North and takes Montpellier with him

It’s a place to get drunk on football, it’s not a place to really be reborn. The MHSC fell (1-0) to Bollaert, sold out for the 13th consecutive time, on a feverish Saturday during the 11th matchday of Ligue 1. predictable style, which had long contained up to a fatal mistake by its director Téji Savanier (67th).

Third consecutive defeat for Olivier Dall’Oglio’s team for the first time this season, after that of Toulouse (4-2) and before Monaco (0-2). He slips on the bad track, towards the second half of the table, and worries before confronting Lyon, then Rennes. He opens the door to the noises in the corridor accompanying a coach who does not win. Who has only won one of the last six games.

If Montpellier is going through a complicated month of October, Lens dodges all obstacles to rush into its upward trajectory. But, just like in front of Monaco (0-2), last week at La Mosson, Montpellier residents walk out of this meeting without a pointbut not without the right to believe in a better tomorrow.

Until then, until the 67th minute, everything was fine. Almost very good for Montpellier. The Sang et Or returned an almost white copy under the effect of a refined tactical intelligence, a defensive discipline and exemplary solidarity.

In the 67th minute, during a harmless release of the ball, the playmaker Téji Savanier missed his back pass for Joris Chotard. And Lensois Saïd’s center forward, who entered in the 60th minute, recovered this pass to win his duel with Jonas Omlin. The mistake of the Montpellier captain canceled the game plan put in place by Olivier Dall’Oglio.

Lack of points

Until then, until this suicidal renaissance, Montpellier had done with his head and heart what he could not do with his limited physical means. He prevented Bollaert from igniting, prevented Lens from igniting the first spark through his circles, and in particular Fofana, well controlled by Fayad established in place of Ferri, suspended. So he defended himself very well, limiting the danger to one or two crosses, or to an oversight in defense, caught by a flawless output of goalkeeper Jonas Omlin at the foot of Openda (35 °).

Montpellier got rid of the claws of the northern dry cleaners. He preferred direct play, avoided ball outings and constantly sought the speed of his forwards Stephy Mavididi and Elyes Wahi.

For the second time around, Montpellier lacked some precision, perhaps even speed, to sneak into spaces and trap the solid Nordic defense. For the second time of the season, one of Ligue 1’s most prolific bouts did not score. Despite a header from Maxime Estève (23rd), Faitout Maouassa (72nd) and Valère Germain, just above (80th), he misses very little, but above all the points.

#soccer ⚽️# liga1 #RCLMHSC
Logically, @MontpellierHSC ?? bows against the @RCLens after a second unilateral time. The only goal came from a defensive error by Savanier, the third consecutive defeat.
A game to relive here ⤵️⤵️https://t.co/litctv2IzJ pic.twitter.com/MBynOk1lUK

– Midi Libre Sports (@MidiLibreSports) October 15, 2022