Just one week after the humiliation suffered at La Mosson against Dunkirk (1-3), in a context charged with emotion with the tribute paid to Jean-Louis Gasset, the MHSC had to react. And if Zoumana Camara’s words at a press conference before the trip to Metz sounded like a challenge – “we have a chance in football, it’s the possibility of redeeming ourselves” — his players responded perfectly. Better yet: this Sunday at the Stade Saint-Symphorien, they delivered one of the most accomplished performances of their season, punctuated by a big 0-4 success.
Certainly, FC Metz is going through a nightmare period and occupies last place in the standings at mid-season in the elite. But nothing should diminish the value of Montpellier’s performance. Inspired offensively, impeccable defensively, the Pailladins showed, from the first minutes, a determination and desire too rarely seen for several weeks. An exemplary attitude, rewarded by a clear score.
Zoumana Camara’s strong choices also paid off: the starts of Mouanga and Issoufou brought rhythm and solidity, while Omeragic, repositioned in the middle, brought a balance too often forgotten in the midfield. The coach even had the luxury of granting playing time to two young non-professionals, Robin Thiland-Herard and Lucas Da Silva, further proof of total control of the match.
The evening also turned into a demonstration to the point that, from the break, the garnet audience attempted derision with a loud sound system – an involuntary nod to scenes already seen recently at the Mosson in a similar context. In the second half, the Metz supporters, exasperated, ended up demanding the resignation of their president and whistled their players copiously. Meanwhile, the Montpellier residents were progressing.
Yes, the Pailladins have redeemed themselves. In the most beautiful way. Enough to restore hope, a real one, before the draw on Tuesday evening and especially before the next trip to Boulogne-sur-Mer, Friday, where a new success will be expected in order to finally relaunch a dynamic in the championship where success has not been known for four consecutive matches.
