Last season ended with the feeling that Montpellier was not far, neither the PSG or even Olympique Lyonnais who has yet achieved the treble. Montpellier is not far but each time the walk is too high. To win the second qualifying place for the Champions League or to win the Coupe de France, objectives that are set by the club and the players and that are experienced as achievable projects rather than wishful thinking against the competition. To the point of succeeding this season?

The past season has probably been difficult to swallow for the MHSC. Montpellier had managed to gain momentum in the first half of 2015, confirming these provisions in the first part of the 2015/2016 season with a match-all phase concluded without defeat and in second place in the standings.

The rest, we know, a complicated start to the year 2016 with defeats at home against rivals PSG and Juvisy and an end of the season where Montpellier struggled to keep an honorary third place at the expense of Juvisy. A victory in the Cup could have made forget this disappointment but Louisa Nécib had decided otherwise and removed the Héraultaises their last hopes of trophy.

=> To read - Interview with Marion Torrent, right side of the MHSC

Where the disappointment is accentuated is that many were convinced that this 2015/2016 season could be "the year where ever" for Montpellier. A stable team against a PSG in permanent reconstruction to try to catch up with OL, Montpellier could scramble the cards and almost succeeded. This season, the MHSC lost three managerial players, the tumultuous Andressa Alves part of FC Barcelona, ​​Rumi Utsugi joined the Seattle Reign in NWSL and the captain Kelly Gadea landed on the side of Marseille.

On the staff side, these upheavals do not prevent to remain ambitious. In this perspective, "regularity" is one of the key words of coach Jean-Louis Saez as the new season approaches. To manage to "last a whole season", it is on the whole the course that must pass the Héraultaises who each time were brilliant but on half-seasons.

This is the report for two years. In 2014/2015, the MHSC took 30 points on the first 11 days, and 36 on the second half of the season. Last season, the contrast is even more striking: 40 points at the beginning of the season, then 31 over the last 11 days. This is one of the points on which Montpellier will be expected this season and which will be decisive in its ability to aim higher.

A big offensive potential

In defense, the departure of Kelly Gadéa will be compensated by the arrival of Marine Haupais, coming from Rodez. Marine Haupais coming out of four full seasons in Aveyron including two where she wore the captain's armband. A regularity that has allowed him to be recently selected team France B alongside Valérie Gauvin his now teammate in Montpellier.

The other two MHSC recruits are more likely to be in the offensive sector. First Lindsey Thomas who returns to Herault after a successful season on loan with the Swiss club FC Basel. It was then the arrival of Clarisse Le Bihan, ex-Guingampaise and reservist in attack for the French team at the Olympic Games this summer.

Two players turned towards the offensive with Lindsey Thomas who could be positioned in a corridor, and Clarisse Le Bihan as axial attacker. They will complete an offensive line provided alongside Laetitia Tonazzi, Sofia Jakobsson and two other French hopefuls in attack Marie-Charlotte Léger and Valérie Gauvin who both had their first selection in blue last season. With Clarisse Le Bihan, they represent the future of this team in Montpellier and why not the team of France for the Euro and the World Cup 2019.

=> To read - the interview of Valérie Gauvin (MHSC)

Behind, the doubts of the MHSC could come from the midfield. A midfield where Sandie Toletti and Virginia Torrecilla should be most often aligned. But behind the two holders, Jean-Louis Saez will have fewer options than last season. The return of Anouk Dekker's injury should be a first option but the club is still looking for a player who could be positioned on the left side of the Herault midfield.

Faced with this situation where gaps could be revealed in the MHSC, Jean-Louis Saez put on the U19 club, with the hope of bringing out players who are able to settle in the pro group. The coach has already included Morgane Nicoli in defense with the hope of definitely launching the young player of 19 years. Other players could follow. A choice and a constraint for Montpellier who hopes he can rely on his young and thus put all the chances to finally ensure a full season, a condition sine qua non to reach the summits.