# Montpellier Defeats Nantes 1-0; Muani's Late Goal Catches Up to Three-Game Winless Run
Montpellier ended their three-game winless streak with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Nantes in a thrilling Ligue 1 encounter on Saturday. The match, which took place at Stade de la Mosson, was a seesaw affair, but it was Montpellier who emerged victorious thanks to a late goal.
The game started with both teams looking to impose their styles. Montpellier, currently struggling to find consistency, came into the match with a record of just one win in their last five games. Nantes, meanwhile, were aiming to extend their recent positive form. The first half was a cagey affair, with both sides struggling to break down their opponents. Montpellier had a few chances, but they couldn’t find the back of the net, while Nantes also failed to capitalize on their few opportunities.
The second half saw the game burst into life. Montpellier finally broke the deadlock in the 68th minute when a well-worked move resulted in Steffen Baal outwitting Nantes’ defense to slot home. The goal sent the home crowd into raptures, and Montpellier seemed to be in control. However, Nantes refused to back down and responded with a series of attacks. The turning point came in the 88th minute when Montpellier’s defense, already stretched thin, gifted Nantes an equalizer. Muani, who had been quiet for much of the game, pounced on a defensive error to slot home from close range.
Despite trailing, Nantes showed no signs of surrender. They poured forward in search of a winner, but Montpellier’s defending held firm. The final moments were nerve-wracking, but Montpellier managed to hold on for a hard-fought 1-0 win.
Montpellier’s victory moves them to 11th place in the league table, and the win will provide a much-needed boost in confidence. For Nantes, who had been on a three-game winless run prior to this match, the draw feels like a missed opportunity to extend their recent form.
Montpellier’s manager, Olivier Dall’Olio, praised his team’s resilience after the match. “We showed a lot of character out there,” he said. “We’ve been struggling recently, but this win is a great reward for our efforts.”
For Nantes, the result is a bump in the road, but they remain in 10th place and will look to bounce back in their next game. Muani, who scored the crucial equalizer, was full of praise for his team’s spirit. “We didn’t want this game to end in a loss,” he said. “We kept going until the end, and that’s what football is all about.”
In the end, Montpellier’s late winner overshadowed Muani’s heroics, but the match served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football. Both teams will take something from this game as they prepare for their next fixtures.