Teji Savanier and the Montpellier residents take a point against Nice. SYLVAIN THOMAS / AFP
The MHSC and the Gym part without a goal or a winner this Friday, at La Mosson, at the opening of the 12th day of L1.
No goal, no winner and even less spectacle. Montpellier and Nice part with a goalless score (0-0) this Friday, at La Mosson, at the opening of the 12th day of Ligue 1. A match which will not go down in the annals, during which the Aiglons had control. However, it was the Montpellier team who had the best opportunity, Akor Adams having hit the woodwork in the first period. In the ranking, the Gym retains the lead. With only two points ahead of their Parisian runner-up, however, it might not last. PSG travels to Reims on Saturday (5 p.m.). The Azuréens are also within shooting range of their neighbors Monaco (26 points against 23), who have a meeting with the promoted Le Havre in Normandy on Saturday (9 p.m.).
In line with his last performances, the Nice leader especially shone through his solidity but this time must be satisfied with one point. Faced with cautious Montpellier players at the start of the match, the Aiglons took control of the game without unbalancing the opposing defense. The Boga-Bard duo on the left side tried things, with the help of Sanson, but the MHSC responded tactically. Counting on their Al-Tamari and Adams arrows, the locals used centers easily negotiated by Bulka. La Mosson, with sparse stands, had to wait until half an hour into the game to get up for the first time. In his powerful style, Adams challenged Todibo before finding the post (32nd). A simple warning for the best defense of the five major European championships, very high on the pitch. Le Gym responded with a counter-attack, Bouanani missing the last move in an ideal position (35th). Moffi then came up against Sacko, vigilant in front of his line (41st) from a corner, for the main alert on the MHSC cage. As against Marseille, Clermont and Rennes, Nice seemed to take its time to weave its web around its opponent, who respected its plan to the letter.
And that’s all
Even in the second half, Montpellier let Nice hinge Dante-Todibo exchange passes to remain compact in the midfield. Despite some breakthroughs from Thuram, Farioli’s players could not find the solutions or the opportunities. The entry of Laborde, at the hour mark, brought dynamism and a little danger (71st, 90th) but more was needed to worry Lecomte. Problem for the show, the Héraultais also had all the trouble in the world to get the match going. Apart from a second post hit by Adams’ head, which was offside (58th), Téji Savanier’s troops lacked inspiration or ambition. Or both. In the last quarter of an hour, the Aiglons tried to snatch victory by multiplying set pieces, without success. Nice was unable to bring down the coin on its side but retained its invincibility, extended to twelve games, the best run in the club’s history after the 1958-59 season (19 games). Still as solid as ever, the Azuréens leave La Mosson with an 8th meeting without conceding a goal. A satisfaction for goalkeeper Bulka, a disappointment for the Montpellier threat Adams, who did his best with very little ammunition.
Well organized if not exciting, the MHSC grabbed a precious point against the surprising leader which allowed them to climb to 12th place in the ranking, while waiting for the rest of the weekend in Ligue 1.