Montpellier and Strasbourg have often crossed their respective paths in recent months.
In Ligue 1 of course. The two teams have already faced each other a few weeks ago in the league and then separated in a draw, 1 everywhere.
But already in 2021 in the Coupe de France, the two formations had met in February in Alsace, on behalf of the 32nd finals. A game behind closed doors that the pailladins then won 2-0.
But the memory that has remained in the heads of many MHSC players is above all this semi final, lost last May on penalties against PSG.
“It’s a hard memory to erase” for Clément Mollet “but now it’s another year, with arguably even tougher games before we hope to get to this stage of the competition.”
The Montpellier midfielder does not forget where he comes from.
“For many amateur teams, the Coupe de France remains something of magic and we all went through these clubs before playing in our respective teams. Now we are on the other side but we respect all our opponents. “
Olivier Dall’Oglio’s experience in the Coupe de France with Montpellier remains for the moment confined to the 32nd finals won on December 19 against the fans of FC Andrézieux-Bouthéon (N2) by the smallest advantage, 1 to 0 .
And on his opponent of the day, the Montpellier coach wears a lucid and cautious look.
“Our two teams are a bit alike. Strasbourg has just had an interesting first six months and relies on fairly effective attackers, notably on set pieces. Receiving them again will allow us to see if we have progressed since…”
Concerning Omicron variant which is currently decimating several Ligue 1 clubs (around twenty players currently absent in Bordeaux), at MHSC, we are watching the situation like milk on the fire.
No positive or prohibited player at the moment. But this worries a little the coach Pailladin who prays that no positive cases come to disturb this beginning of the new year.
This Montpellier / Strasbourg is to be followed live this afternoon. Appointment from 3pm on FBH with Bertrand Queneutte and Benjamin Psaume.