Still bottom of Ligue 1, Montpellier sees light in the corridors

Issiaga Sylla, congratulated by Tamari and Chotard after his goal against Lille, Sunday in La Mosson. Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

Issiaga Sylla and Enzo Tchato offer guarantees on the sides of the MHSC defense, a little stabilized but promised to suffer this Sunday in Lens. The two men have become pillars of the system rebuilt by Jean-Louis Gasset.

Sunday, the reunion will recall the good times. The MHSC, and in particular his goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte, will come across Ruben Aguilar on the edge of the Bollaert stadium pitch. The Lensois, convalescent, is repairing a right shoulder operated on at the beginning of October.

His ghost still lurks on the right side of the Hérault defence since his departure for Monaco in 2019. A year earlier, Jérôme Roussillon had left the left side for Wolfsburg. Since then, Montpellier has been looking for full-backs who close the corridors and any debate.

Hierarchy established on the right side

This start to the season is no exception. In a defense open to all winds (34 goals conceded), the critics blew in their backs.

Read also: OM – MHSC: a defense still to be reviewed

Coincidence ? Since his inauguration, the day after the slap against Marseille on October 20, Jean-Louis Gasset has restored stability. He defines a hierarchy on the right side, long subject to alternation, and benefits from the return to form of Issiaga Sylla.

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Enzo Tchato seduced Jean-Louis Gasset with his ability to repeat efforts in the right lane. MAXPPP – julien mattia

“When I came back, it was his cousin. This Sylla suits me. He hasn't fully returned to his level, but I have confidence in him,” whispers the new Montpellier coach. A starter since the shipwreck against Marseille, the Guinean left-back (30 years old) is running after himself. And is gradually catching up with the recruit who arrived from Toulouse in the 2023 winter transfer window. Versatile and efficient, he is emerging as the undisputed starter on the left side and relegating Théo Sainte-Luce and Lucas Mincarelli to the bench.

Sylla's offensive contribution

The Guinea captain has overcome a series of setbacks. A calf injury that deprived him of the first seven days of the championship or the elimination of his country for the next African Cup of Nations (CAN). Today, freed from administrative hassles, he returns the favor to his new coach.

Solid in the defensive sector, he revives his offensive influence. Sunday against Lille, he scored Montpellier's first goal. Three weeks earlier, he had been decisive against Brest with his runs and decisive crosses.

Tchato more robust

“On the right side, I made my choice. Enzo, physically robust, repeats the efforts”, observes Jean-Louis Gasset. Who prefers the Indomitable Lion to the Malian international: Falaye Sacko.

A starter in the last four matches, he is ahead of the ex-Stéphanois, guilty of a handling error in Le Havre which caused the Normandy penalty. The Cameroonian international (22 years old, 5 caps) is catching up on the momentum he had after the last African Cup of Nations (CAN). Carried by a new confidence, he is freeing himself and bringing a breath of fresh air to the corridors.

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