The short winter break has not altered the dynamics of Montpellier, semi-finalists last season.

Since its defeat (1-0) to Lyon at the end of November, Olivier Dall'Oglio's team has chained six consecutive victories, in all competitions.

"It's important to restart properly. We needed to regain that momentum. I saw a lot of desire and determination. I'm satisfied with this match, which was difficult. It was a victory. important for us ", appreciated Olivier Dall'Oglio.

Strasbourg falls again in front of Montpellier, like last season.

In January 2021, the Alsatian team fell to La Meinau (2-0) in the 32nd final.

Sunday, the trio of attackers formed by Kévin Gameiro, Habibou Diallo and Ludovic Ajorque never really weighed on the defense of Montpellier, sovereign.

"We knew that it would be complicated to play in Montpellier. We were in the shoes of the challenger. We were not far. We lacked accuracy and efficiency. We would have deserved to equalize," regretted for his part Jean-Marc Kuentz, one of Julien Stéphan's assistants.

Montpellier, again master of his subject at home, struck the first in the 20th minute, shortly after a great opportunity from Elye Wahi (17th). Defender Mihailo Ristic concretized the Hérault domination with a powerful and limpid strike from 25 meters. The Serbian international scored his second goal of the season, ten days after having already scored against Angers (4-1).

Stifled by the collective control of Montpellier, Strasbourg did not exist much in the first period. Julien Stéphan's team, absent because of a Covid-19 contamination, even spoiled an equalizer ball by his striker Habibou Diallo (45th). The Senegalese international sent a penalty, obtained for an involuntary hand fault by Nicolas Cozza, clearly above the crossbar. "The penalty was definitely the turning point in the game," said Dall'Oglio.

Montpellier got the best opportunities throughout the second half, thanks in particular to strikes from Ristic (57th) and Arnaud Souquet (67th), but never managed to take cover.

If he suffered at the end of the match, especially after the entry into play of the Alsatian midfielder Adrien Thomasson, he did not really tremble to obtain his qualification.

© 2022 AFP