Montpellier, largely dominant, wasted the opportunity to revive by conceding a draw (1-1) at Mosson in front of Clermont, during a replay match of the 8th day, played Wednesday evening behind closed doors.
The Montpellier residents saved a point thanks to a penalty from captain Téji Savanier (87) who responded to an early and sumptuous goal from Maxime Gonalons (7th)
Despite this frustrating draw, Michel Der Zakarian’s team, ranked in 13th place, has not advanced for several matches and is stuck at the bottom of the rankings.
On October 8, during the 8th day of Ligue 1, the meeting between Montpellier and Clermont was interrupted in the 90th minute following the throwing of a firecracker near Auvergne goalkeeper Mory Diaw. In addition to the withdrawal of a point and the partial closure of the Étang de Thau stand, the Hérault club also had to replay the match. Téji Savanier’s partners have suffered a serious setback since these incidents, taking only five points in six days.
Clermont (17th) succeeded in a great operation to get closer to Lorient, the roadblock. With nine points in six matches, since that famous October 8, Pascal Gastien’s team has completely relaunched itself in the race to maintain itself. Everything went wrong very quickly for Montpellier. From the 7th minute, Auvergne midfielder Maxime Gonalons placed a cannon shot into Benjamin Lecomte’s right corner.
In a very complicated first period, Michel Der Zakarian’s team, excluded by referee Mathieu Vernice (for two yellow cards in the 29th minute), lost central defender Maxime Estève, hit in the left thigh (17th), and midfielder Jordan Ferri, injured in his right knee (42nd). And Montpellier fell on an excellent goalkeeper Mory Diaw, who stopped the strikes of Khazri (11th), Savanier (12th, 31st, 40th) or Tamari (45th 1st).
The Senegalese goalkeeper from Clermont was also impeccable after the break on a strike from Wahbi Khazri (51st). He only lost to Savanier’s penalty, whistled for a foul by the hand of captain Ogier (87th), a point which is enough for Clermont, less so for Montpellier.