Team Focus: Can Montpellier or Lille Handle a European Campaign?

When Montpellier look back on this campaign, it is almost certain – judging four games from its climax – that they will do so with a certain satisfaction, bearing in mind their means, particularly compared to those of their Ligue 1 peers. Nevertheless, there have been a few bubbles of discord rising to the surface in recent days between the two most recognised figures at the club, coach Rolland Courbis and president Louis Nicollin.

It began last week, when Nicollin suggested in a beIN Sports interview that only “an idler” would turn his nose up at the prospect of Europa League football next season, shortly after Courbis had said that reaching Europe now would be “a catastrophe” for the club.

The coach responded when speaking to RMC the following day. “I think that among all my faults, being lazy is not one of them,” said Courbis. “But for me, if we do the Europa League, that’s when the big worries start. The year after would be a lot better.”

Nicollin subsequently backtracked on his earlier words, but it’s an interesting debate, and it’s one that might also interest Lille and their supporters. With Paris Saint-Germain almost certain to finish in the top two at worst, their cup exploits are beginning to have an effect on the European places below. PSG’s Coupe de la Ligue win already means that 5th place will yield a Europa League spot and if Laurent Blanc’s men complete a cup double by beating second-tier Auxerre in the Coupe de France final next month (which seems highly likely), 6th position will offer the same.

Currently in 7th and 8th places in the table, both the 2011 and 2012 champions are nicely poised to make a late push for that extra European qualifying spot. Despite weekend defeats to Saint Etienne and PSG respectively, Montpellier and Lille remain 3 and 5 points behind Bordeaux, the team currently in 6th. Montpellier also have a superior goal difference to Willy Sagnol’s side (+8), while Lille’s is the same (+1), despite their 6-1 flaming at Parc des Princes.

Even if there appears to be a level of conflict within Montpellier over what their aim is, they are not only best set to challenge Bordeaux - they also look as if they would be the better equipped of the two to face Europe, despite Lille’s more extensive experience in continental competition over the last decade. Courbis’ team were unfortunate to lose at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard against a Sainté side who still have realistic hopes of pinching 3rd spot.

Montpellier had more possession (52.1%), more shots (10 to 8), made more dribbles (10 to 4) and dominated in aerial duels (19 to 16), yet still came away empty-handed. “When I look at how they played,” said Courbis after the game, “I tell myself that it’s ok to catch a visiting team on the counter-attack.”

That Montpellier were vulnerable to that was largely down to themselves. Top scorer Lucas Barrios was particularly culpable, missing a pair of golden chances midway through the first period, shortly after Max Gradel gave Les Verts the lead. In fact, Barrios only managed to work the excellent Stéphane Ruffier in one of those instances. The Paraguayan forward has scored 9 Ligue 1 goals since the turn of the year - more than anybody else apart from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gradel - but has none in his last four, and his team paid for his lack of punch here.

If there was a palpable sense of frustration from the Montpellier camp after the match, they could at least console themselves with the fact that they performed creditably against one of the better teams in the division. Their display also underlined that Courbis’ squad perhaps has greater depth than many (including the coach himself) might initially presume.

In the absence of seriously injured playmaker Morgan Sanson, Jonas Martin slotted into the number 10 role. His tidiness in possession (90.6%) masked a certain lack of penetration, though he has generally performed well this season (rating 7.02). As well as the quality of Anthony Mounier, who delivered 2 key passes against Sainté (after supplying 7 assists this term), they were able to call on the goalscoring potential of Kévin Berigaud and the experienced Souleymane Camara from the bench. Berigaud has flattered to deceive this season, scoring just 4 times in 21 starts, but offers hope for improvement.

It was hardly the best weekend to judge Lille’s own capabilities to hit the top six. Their challenge to PSG was over before it started, after they conceded to Maxwell after 25 seconds and then again to Edinson Cavani before the five-minute mark. René Girard’s team have been in good form of late, going into their match at the Parc with 6 wins out of their previous 7 matches.

So Lille shouldn’t be judged in entirety on the debacle in the capital. The number of individual errors at both ends of the pitch was evident in the stats. PSG only had a slight advantage in possession (52.4%) and just sneaked the shot count (11 to 9), but Lille’s lack of efficiency was evident in that they landed just one effort on target. That PSG’s 7 on target produced 6 goals made clear that the excellent Vincent Enyeama endured perhaps his worst afternoon in a Lille shirt (rating 3.9).

The northerners do have hope for the future in the shape of Sofiane Boufal, one of the few blameless parties on the day who rated 8.4 and provided an assist for Marko Basa’s goal. He has been excellent since his January arrival. One wonders what sort of team he will be surrounded by in 2015/16, though, with Divock Origi (top scorer with a modest 7) off to Liverpool, Rony Lopes’ loan spell up and captain Rio Mavuba’s contract about to expire.

It’s a pity, as recent home wins over Lyon and Bordeaux suggest Girard (if he retains his position) would have something to work with. Montpellier have greater stability, and are no lightweights despite two 5-1 losses to Lyon, for example. Both of the pair’s consistency, however, suggests Courbis might be onto something when he says that “playing in Moldova on Thursday and (the league) on Sunday” might be a step too far.

Would Montpellier and Lille benefit from missing out on Europa League football next season? Let us know in the comments below