Les Vertes lose in Montpellier

Context

Les Vertes travel to Montpellier on the penultimate matchday for a game of crucial importance in the race to avoid relegation from the Arkema Première Ligue. Going into the match, Les Vertes sit in 11th and second-to-last place, level on points with Montpellier, who are in 12th. `

Starting XI

In a 4-2-3-1 formation, Yannick Chandioux fields Pinguet, Kelley, Meadows, Gajic, Tapia, Bataillard, Bien-Aimé, Cambot, Istocki, Bradford-Williams, and Hornemann.mann.

Game scenario

There was no feeling-out period for either team, as they kicked off the match at a blistering pace. Montpellier’s wingers put Saint-Étienne on the back foot, and it was Justine Roquet—who has been a standout in this league—who opened the scoring (1-0, 17th minute). Les Vertes were under pressure but didn’t give up, and Sofie Hornemann repeatedly tested the opposing goalkeeper, Chloé N’Gazi, especially toward the end of the first half. However, the score remained unchanged: Les Vertes headed into the locker room trailing by a goal.

After the break, Les Vertes were put in a tight spot by a defensive header from Aleksandra Gajic, which was blocked by the opposing forward. Fortunately, Alice Pinguet was on the ball and cleared it off the line. The entry of Nadjma Ali Nadjim in the 55th minute forced the opponent to retreat, and on multiple occasions, the Vertes looked dangerous but failed to equalize. Unable to find a solution until the very end, they lost by the narrowest of margins and saw their chances of staying up diminish.

Comong next

After this setback, Les Vertes will need to pick themselves up and secure a win against Fleury at Salif-Keita Stadium on Wednesday, May 6, at 5 p.m., if they are to keep their hopes of staying up alive.