For the 28th day of Ligue 1, OGC Nice travels to Hérault to face Montpellier, 11th in the championship.
After home victories in the Coupe de France (against Versailles) and in Ligue 1 (against Paris Saint-Germain), the Eagles will travel to Hérault to face MHSC. An important match as it could allow Nice to secure its second place in the standings.
The context of the match
Montpellier had a rather strong start to the season but has struggled since the beginning of 2022. Indeed, Olivier Dall’Oglio‘s men have managed only three wins since January against Strasbourg (Coupe de France), Monaco, and Lorient (Ligue 1), and have suffered heavy defeats in the league against Strasbourg (3-1), Saint-Etienne (3-1), Rennes (2-4), and this weekend at Nantes (2-0).
The Paillade club can still rely on quality players. In defense, there is the young Maxime Estève, who had an exceptional game against Nice in the first half of the season. In the midfield, captain and best player Téji Savanier will be present, accompanied by the only scorer in the first leg: Florent Mollet. The player to occupy the attack forward position remains uncertain; it could be the young and explosive Elye Wahi or the former Nice player (2015-16) Valère Germain.
The home defeat in November against MHSC surely lingers in the minds of the Eagles. The two consecutive victories will likely help approach this match in good spirits. However, Nice will have to do without its traveling supporters, as the Hérault prefect fears clashes between Montpellier and Nice fans. Christophe Galtier could still rely on a complete squad with the probable return of Atal and Amavi. This match will also mark the return of Andy Delort, the miraculous scorer against PSG two minutes from the end, who returns to the pitch of his former club, but this time without the Hérault jersey or armband. Given the numerous criticisms from MHSC fans after his departure, there is no doubt he will be stirred by the crowd at Mosson.
Probable line-ups:
Montpellier: in 3-4-2-1
Omlin – Thuler, Esteve, Cozza – Sambia, Chotard, Ferri, Oyongo or Ristic – Savanier, Mollet – Wahi or Germain
Nice: in 4-4-2
Benitez – Lotomba, Todibo, Dante, Bard – Stengs, Lemina or Rosario, Thuram, Kluivert – Delort or Dolberg, Gouiri
