A look back
Having returned to Ligue 1 Uber Eats in 2009, Montpellier HSC made league history in 2012 when, against all the odds, they were crowned champions. Iconic President Louis Nicollin, who passed away in 2017, gave way to his son, Laurent, at the helm of the club. Despite a few scares in recent seasons, Montpellier have managed to establish themselves in the league and are waiting tirelessly for a new stadium to be built, more in keeping with the standards of the elite.
In February 2023, MHSC called on an old hand, Michel Der Zakarian. A player between 1988 and 1997, then coach between 2017 and 2021, the coach immediately turned things around with a record of 9 wins and 3 draws from 16 games. With 19 goals and 6 assists, Elye Wahi has exploded up front but is now at RC Lens.
The start of the season
With just one win to their name, at Lyon (4-1), Montpellier have yet to really get their season underway. In search of balance, the Hérault outfit twice shared the points in spectacular matches against Le Havre AC (2-2) and Strasbourg (2-2). Fourth in attack but also 15th in defence, Montpellier have been able to rely on the rapid adaptation of their attacking assets Akor Adams (3 goals) and Mousa Tamari (2 goals). MHSC are 14th with 5 points.
In Montpellier and sons of former Rennes glories
Two well-known names from the Vilaine region. Leroy and Delaye evoke many memories for Rennes fans. But it is not the players who have played 241 games for the Red and Black that will be on show at La Mosson, but their sons! Léo Leroy (23) and Sacha Delaye (21) now wear the colours of La Hérault. The former arrived at Stade Rennais at the age of 7, following in his father's footsteps. The midfielder played there for 10 seasons before signing his first professional contract with Châteauroux in 2018. The second was born in Rennes in 2002, when his father played for the club until 2004.
The last 5 head-to-head meetings
Sunday 23 April 2023 - L1
Montpellier HSC 1-0 Stade Rennais F.C.
Sunday 30 October 2022 - Ligue 1 Uber Eats
Stade Rennais F.C. 3-0 Montpellier HSC
Rennes goalscorers: Martin Terrier, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Amine Gouiri
Friday 25 February 2022 - Ligue 1 Uber Eats
Montpellier HSC 2-4 Stade Rennais F.C.
Rennes goalscorers: Martin Terrier, Benjamin Bourigeaud, Gaëtan Laborde, Lovro Majer
Saturday 20 November 2021 - Ligue 1 Uber Eats
Stade Rennais F.C. 2-0 Montpellier HSC
Rennes goal scorers: Martin Terrier, Lovro Majer
Sunday, February 21, 2021 - Ligue 1 Uber Eats
Montpellier HSC 2-1 Stade Rennais F.C.
Rennes goal scorer: Serhou Guirassy
Photo credit: mhscfoot.com / RHD
