In a game late for the 12th day, Fleury met Montpellier at Stade Lascombe. After their respective match against LOSC (2-2) and Rodez (2-1 win) last weekend, both teams played their return match against each other. After the 8-0 victory of Montpellier in the first leg, the Floriacumoises will not let themselves go home. A meeting that would keep all its promises.


For the second game of his team in just four days, Jean Louis Saez had to do without Anouk Dekker, Sandie Toletti, Marion Romanelli or Virginia Torecilla. Absentees who are more and more felt on the group, even if the team seemed to have found a certain harmony in relation to his last performances. Montpellier was also able to count on the return of the experienced Laëtitia Tonazzi. The Hérault coach has once again been able to rely on the young Morgane Nicoli alongside Linda Sembrant for central defense. While Janice Cayman took the right lane and Sakina Karchaoui the left flank. Marion Torrent has been replaced like a few games this season, in the middle of the field as relay and recuperator among others.

On the other side, Marine Haupais returned to the Ile-de-France group, having been put to rest against LOSC last Sunday. A bet that will prove to be paying for the Ile-de-France club. She is replaced by Léonie Multari who was established for his part last Sunday, and which allowed his team to hold the draw against Lille already (2-2). A solid defense with Butel on the left flank, well led by Teninsoun Sissoko on the other side.

In pointe, alone, we find once again Claire Lavogez who will win several times from his position to bring dynamism with Salma Amani in the middle. The latter undoubtedly has a key role in the construction and character of his team.



Montpellier is betting on the combination


At home we knew that Fleury was more likely to hang Montpellier for the draw, even to create a surprise by overthrowing the current third in the standings. But this scenario will soon be shaken. On a free kick quickly played by Katrine Veje, and a handing by Stina Blackstenius to the goal, Lætitia Tonazzi (5th) finds herself on the ball alone against Gignoux Soulier and manages to deceive the goalie of Fleury for the opening of the score 0-1.

A quick opening of the score that will not destabilize the Floriacumoises in their match. The players of Lionel Cure know that the match will be long and that the MHSC can leave a fault. However, it is still the Montpellier who will be dangerous, with the young but formidable Marie-Charlotte Léger (12th) - just remembered in France A team by Corinne Deacon - but who has just been stopped by Léonie Multari on his shot too eccentric on the left.

And then it is the turn of the former Montpélliéraine Marine Haupais (15th) to be respected on its area, when it interposes on a balloon of Manon Uffren. Solidity scratched, but quickly found its superb by his interventions, like many others in the left aisle especially in front of breakthrough Sakina Karchaoui.

Fleury replicates with this first dangerous attempt on a free-kick of Claire Lavogez (16th) who finishes on the transversal of Montpellier. The accuracy was almost perfect on this one, but it will take more for the equalization. Then it's again Multari who stands out on this good free-kick full axis, within 30 meters and just deflected by Chatelain near the pole (25th) but it's out of context.

The danger is approaching for the Montpellier camp, which is trying to build its game too well and abandons offensive efficiency, by surprise. But Sakina Karchaoui is here to settle this detail. The young French international brings this creative side which is so much sought after today by each team. As when it comes to move on the ground, and distribute a long ball, the second post, but which will finally be pushed back by Butel (29th). An aborted attempt as there will be plenty of others in this game on one side or the other. Teams seek above all to protect themselves defensively, rather than finding the right solution offensively.

Claire Lavogez again decisive


At the half hour mark, Marine Coudon is at the maneuver on this shot, which shaves the post of Casey Murphy (30th). Montpellier was hot. But luck does not go their smile long. As against LOSC, it's once again Claire Lavogez (36th) who will turn out to be the key to the equalizer. On a good pass by Teninsoun Sissoko, she finds herself alone in front of the door of Montpellier and manages - thanks to the rebound - to lob Murphy and send the ball in the net 1-1 nets!

A real disillusion for Montpellier, who has trouble understanding this goal. An error that may well block the game of Montpellier, despite all attempts by Jean-Louis Saez to put his team in the direction of the goal. The break will be crucial for the Herault team, who must react to avoid putting themselves in a delicate position for the race to Europe. While Fleury must keep this point and aim for victory to blow before the international truce.

At the return of the locker room, however, no change is made on one side or the other. It will be necessary to wait for the 57th minute to see the entry of Sofia Jakobsson in place of Manon Uffren, who did not deserve in this match. The Swede brings as usual his speed and percussion, but facing Fleury, it does not tip the scales, since it will be surrounded quickly, depriving it of any availability for his team.

We are approaching the last half hour of play, and Montpellier will have the last opportunities to win the bet. From the 63rd minute, when Maryne Gignoux, must deploy in the air to recover this ball on the right center of Veje left lane for Stina Blackstenius. Then, it is the turn of Gwenaëlle Butel to be decisive thanks to his rescue on this strike of Janice Cayman, while the door of Fleury, Maryne Gignoux was on the ground, after a first rescue on a shot by Léger (69th) . In the meantime, Julie Rabanne (65th) made her entry for the exit of Charlotte Fernandes, somewhat in difficulty on this match in her hallway.



The match is running out of steam


The more minutes pass, and the more the game loses its rhythm and its dynamics. The players are starting to show signs of fatigue after giving last weekend for most of the present on the field. Saez then decided to make two new changes with the entry of Le Bihan and Gauvin and the exit of Blackstenius and Léger. The French international from Picardie, who has once again made a big match today, well present in the impact and the will to move forward.

The duels intensify, time is running out for Montpellier, but Fleury is holding out, despite the warnings collected by Multari (79) and Haupais (83). The two defenders had a lot to do during this unusual poster, since it was played in the middle of the week and just after the weekend when both teams could have some regrets about the final outcome of their meeting.

Just before that, it was the hectic, Sarah Palacin who replaced Marine Coudon (81) who had a lot to do too. The former Parisian will very quickly come crashing to destabilize Montpellier and relieve her teammates. But the Montpellier accelerate in the last moments of the match while being jostled in their attempt.

The MHSC then gets a good free kick in the final minutes, which can then make everything fall so close to the end. But Maryne Gignoux Soulier (85th) comes to box this dangerous ball on the free-kick of Marion Torrent and allows his team to finally hang this point of the draw (1-1). The last change of Fleury, with the entry of Danaé Dunord instead of Claire Lavogez (87th) will change nothing at the end of the meeting.



It was not a very gratifying result for Montpellier who probably did not deserve this score in view of the energy deployed by the team all along, but the tactical choices were sometimes ineffective to win the victory. While Fleury can boast of having raised the bar and wash the affront of the first leg especially thanks to the two big reinforcements (and old Montpellier) who have joined the club Ile since, Marine Haupais and Claire Lavogez.

Post match reactions

Jean-Louis Saez (MHSC): "We have not managed to find our attackers"

Marine Haupais (Fleury): "I have the impression that nothing could destabilize us today"

Sakina Karchaoui (MHSC): "We were trying to play more games [but] it did not pay. "

Lionel Cure (Fleury): "We are on an uphill slope"


Photo: TYSON BOYS
Match sheet


Wednesday, February 21, 2018, 3 pm - Fleury-Mérogis (Lascombe Stadium) - D1 - 12th day (late match).
FC Fleury - MHSC: 1-1


Referee: Maika Vanderstichel

Goals: Laëtitia Tonazzi for the MHSC. Claire Lavogez for FC Fleury.

Warnings: Léonie Multari (79) and Marine Haupais (83) for FC Fleury.


The teams

FC Fleury: 16. Maryne Gignoux-Soulier - 4. Léonie Multari - 10. Céline Chatelain - 17. Salma Amani - 18. Marine Coudon (81st Sarah Palacin) - 19. Daphne Corboz - 20. Charlotte Fernandes (65th Julie Rabanne) - 22. Gwenaëlle Butel - 23. Teninsoun Sissoko (c) - 28. Marine Haupais - 29. Claire Lavogez (87th Danaé Dunord)

Coach: Lionel Cure


MHSC: 1. Casey Murphy - 4. Marion Torrent - 7. Sakina Karchaoui - 9. Laetitia Tonazzi - 11. Katrine Veje - 15. Stina Blackstenius (70th Valerie Gauvin) - 17. Janice Cayman - 18. Marie-Charlotte Leger (70th Clarisse Le Bihan) - 22. Morgane Nicoli - 23. Linda Sembrant (c) - 26. Manon Uffren (57th Sofia Jakobsson)

Coach: Jean Louis Saez