Effective at La Mosson, Montpellier awaited this benchmark away match. His trainer Olivier Dall’Oglio remembers above all the quality of the defensive block and the discipline of his team after this success in Nice (0-1), on the new land of Andy Delort, during the 13th day of Ligue 1, Sunday November 7.
Is it the perfect evening?
In terms of results, absolutely. It’s exceptional to win in Nice. We dreamed it, we did it. There was a big burst of energy, there was also a lot of work by the staff during the week. In the absence of Teji, we implemented a strategy that paid off in this game. We must congratulate the players in this very, very difficult match against this great team which is well organized and has great individualities. We managed to hamper it. This is the main satisfaction of this match. Nice did not manage to advance too much even though he had chances. Even though we were a little lucky.
Is this the benchmark match away from home and in defensive terms?
We did what we had not done in Monaco. Where we did not manage the start well. If we can learn from our mistakes and be efficient, that’s a good thing. This can be a reference to prove to the players that when you have an organization and a discipline, you can have results against a team better than us.
You are in seventh place after an average start to the season. Is it also a satisfaction?
It’s reassuring. We needed to take points. After the transfer window, there was movement. We knew that we had to integrate new players, young people too, and start with another strategy. There were uncertainties. We have a group that adheres. Some players confirm, others are gaining momentum. It reassures me that it takes so quickly. This victory brings us over a course in a difficult month. We will use it to move forward, to stay at that level.
What is your view on the central defense formed by Estève and Sakho?
The association is growing. This solidity in the axis has repercussions on the team. Maxime, who played in U19 last year, has a good teacher by his side, with Mamadou who has a lot of experience. We prove that we can combine two left-handers. Maxime is fairly intelligent, shows maturity given his age. He had a great game and took on another dimension.
How did you prepare for this match at the tactical level?
When we come to Nice, faced with a team in full swing, we have fears. We studied their 4-4-2. We worked on the tactical level, we worked on video to repeat certain gestures. We worked a lot, we thought a lot and discussed to put the odds in our side. I congratulate all the guys who work with me. We didn’t have Teji, which takes up a lot of space. He has been bringing us since the start of the season. There was plenty of thought, plenty of possibilities to face his absence. We will also have to think about the absence of Jordan Ferri in Rennes.
You have just beaten Lens and Nice in quick succession. What is the teaching?
We are making good progress. We had two big games in front of Lens and Nice, and today we suffered because we decided to be together and solid. We need to work on intensity and concentration, which were sometimes lacking at the start of the season. My team must keep this intensity. It’s still a snatch victory. We remain humble and in our place.
Christophe Galtier: “It’s a halt”
Christophe Galtier (Nice coach): “There is disappointment. We came across a big defensive organization from Montpellier. Even though we dominated this match, we didn’t create many chances. We were sluggish in the first half. let fall asleep by the rhythm desired by Montpellier.
It was better in the second half, in terms of pace and intensity. We lacked relationship between each other, but also spontaneity in the last gesture. In this kind of match, when you are a young team, you can be penalized on the sole occasion of the opponent.
In front of a low block, the offensive sequence was not good. Or bad initiatives. I can’t say we were bad. But in the last 20 meters, he lacked spontaneity to be more dangerous. Andy Delort did not miss his match, but he came across a big defense from Montpellier.
When you can’t win, you mustn’t lose. There is disappointment because we want to be well placed. It was a good time to win and position themselves before some tough games before the winter break. It’s good, but it could have been better. We will see if we are a progressing and ambitious team. We will see how we react after this stoppage. “
