On the eve of the PSG, OM and Monaco matches, Lens knew what to do to put pressure on its competitors at the top of the standings. But the artesian squadron failed to carry out its mission, and experienced a more eventful trip than expected in Montpellier on Saturday evening (1-1).
What you must remember :
After three days without a win, RC Lens returned to success last weekend against Nantes (3-1). The Sang et Or hoped to chain in the Hérault a second victory in a row, which has not happened to them since the beginning of November. And they gave themselves the means for a first express goal: found by a nice hidden pass from Seko Fofana, Angelo Fulgini slipped the ball over Benjamin Lecomte (0-1, 4th). The 2nd goal in five games for the player on loan from Mainz.
But opposite, a man has relaunched the MHSC in recent weeks. With two wins in a row against Brest (3-0) then Troyes (1-0), Michel Der Zakarian has given the Montpellier residents a strength of character that they lacked since the start of the season. Not helped by the injury exit of Maxime Estève in the 30th minute, the Héraultais have long had all the trouble in the world to approach the goal of the too quiet Brice Samba. They had the merit of not giving up.
Lens should even have taken the break and killed all suspense, but Kevin Danso smashed the crossbar (57th). The turning point of the match, since two minutes later, Faitout Maouassa equalized with a header (1-1, 59th), left alone at the far post on a cross from Joris Chotard. Without Téji Savanier or Elye Wahi, Montpellier offers a very good point against a candidate for Europe and the air on the red zone, eight points behind. New setback for the Lensois, who confirm their irregularity in 2023.
The player: Air Lecomte
If the Montpellier residents have obtained an important point in their quest to maintain, they owe it in large part to their goalkeeper. Benjamin Lecomte was decisive twice, on a big whim from Florian Sotoca (57th) then a superb flight on a perfect roll from the same Sotoca (71st). Returning to Hérault after a mixed experience in Spain, Lecomte confirms if necessary that he is one of the best goalkeepers in our Ligue 1.
The number: 2
Winner against Nantes on the last day, Lens has not had two successes in a row in Ligue 1 since October-November 2022 (five wins), during a series started against … Montpellier (1-0 at go).