By D. Crossan
Montpellier’s solitary Ligue 1 Conforama title was secured in dramatic fashion in 2011-2012 as René Girard’s side got the better of Paris Saint-Germain, whose new Qatari owners were forced to wait for their first French league crown.
For their third season back in the top division, colourful president Louis Nicollin set MHSC the target of a seventh-placed finish, up from a disappointing 14th the previous campaign. Nobody expected Montpellier to shock the big names of French football and end up with a title that meant Nicollin had to make good on his promise to dye his hair in club colours.
Given the Qatari investment PSG started as favourites. A home loss to Lorient in Round 1 of the season wasn’t what was expected from the capital club but PSG soon hit their stride under Antoine Kombouaré and in Round 8 played superbly at Motpellier, winning 3-0 with Javier Pastore, the 42.8 million euro signing from Palermo, scoring twice. That success saw PSG knock MHSC off top spot.
Giroud on fire
Girard’s team did not drop away, however, and star striker Olivier Giroud scored a hat-trick to help Montpellier recover from 2-0 down at home to Dijon to win 5-3 in Round 10. That was part of an eight-match unbeaten run in the league and Montpellier went into the winter break handily positioned in second place on 37 points, three back from PSG.
PSG dismiss Kombouaré, bring in Ancelotti
“Autumn champions” PSG changed their coach before the league resumed in January with Kombouaré relieved of his functions and replaced by Italian Carlo Ancelotti. With PSG strengthening their squad by signing the likes of Maxwell, Alex and Thiago Motta, they were expected to go on and secure the club’s first title since 1994. Meanwhile Montpellier had to contend with important players such as Younès Belhanda, Jamel Saïhi and Souleymane Camara being away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Yet Girard’s side won their first four league games of 2012 and proved their strength by almost winning at PSG in Round 24. After Alex had given PSG the lead, goals from Belhanda and John Utaka had MHSC in front, only for Guillaume Hoarau to snatch a draw with an 88th-minute equaliser.
Utaka seals historic first crown
Though Nancy inflicted Montpellier’s first loss of the year in Round 28, the following round saw MHSC beat Saint-Etienne 1-0 to return to the top of the league, a position they were never to relinquish, keeping their nerve in the final sprint. The title was decided on the final day. Montpellier went into their game at relegated Auxerre on 79 points and with a goal difference of +33, while PSG went to Lorient with 76 points and a goal difference of +33. Two 2-1 away wins ensured the title went to Montpellier for the first time; a late Utaka winner at Auxerre ending PSG’s hopes as Ancelotti’s players willed Auxerre on.
It was a real squad effort, though Giroud’s 21 goals made him the top scorer in the division and he shared a lot of the plaudits with attacking midfielder Belhanda, who weighed in with 12 goals. Captain Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa only turned 23 the week before the Auxerre game and he was another player to stand out, along with marauding left-back Henri Bedimo and creative Chilean midfielder Marco Estrada.
Special celebrations
The celebrations were something to behold at Place de la Comédie, not least the long-serving Nicollin’s colourful Mohawk as MHSC celebrated overcoming the odds and vast difference in budget between them and PSG. It’s a feat Montpellier might never repeat and one their fans will never forget.
THE STATS
Montpellier finished 2011-2012 with 82 points, 13 better than they had ever previously managed. 50 of those points came at Stade de la Mosson, giving them the best home record in the division. They also boasted the joint-best defence – along with Toulouse – as they conceded 34 goals. Their attack was the third-most prolific in Ligue 1 with Giroud, Belhanda, Camara and Utaka helping them to 68 goals.
THE QUOTE
“We have extraordinary players who sing, dance and engage with the supporters. It’s rare. There was Lille last year, they were a bunch of friends. And this year it’s us!”
Louis Nicollin, Montpellier president, speaking at the title celebrations at Place de la Comédie, Montpellier on May 21 2012
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