50 years of Montpellier HSC!
Legends
Legends of Montpellier past and present played in a commemorative match to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the club.
10,000 supporters were present last week as Montpellier celebrated their 50th year of existence in style with a legends match. It was already shaping up to be a nostalgic day to celebrate the past glories of La Paillade. Their champions of 2012 took on former French internationals of the club and France's Club des Internationals de France (CIF).
Former players included the likes of Carlos Valderrama, Julio César, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Vitorino Hilton, Souleymane Camara, John Utaka, Karim Aït-Fana, Joris Marveaux, Jamel Saihi, Henri Bedimo, Abdelhamid El Kaoutari, Geoffrey Jourdren, Hoda Latta.
Celebrating the history of Montpellier
The early iteration of Montpellier was founded in 1919 under the name of Stade Olympique Montpelliérain and played under that name for most of its existence. One of the founding members of Ligue 1, MHSC are one of the only clubs who have played in the inaugural 1932-33 season and are still in the first division. Yet, the current version of the club was founded in a merger in 1974.
Some of the iconic players of French football have represented the club. Notably Laurent Blanc, who is the club's leading all-time goalscorer. Eric Cantona, Roger Milla, Carlos Valderrama and Olivier Giroud have all worn the orange shirt at some point in their careers.
In terms of honours La Paillade have won the Coupe de France twice (in 1929 and 1990), and the Coupe de La Ligue once (1992). In European football, MHSC won the Intertoto Cup in 1999.
In the 2011-2012 season, they would win their first-ever Ligue 1 title, finishing the season with 82 points. Only three points ahead of Paris Saint-Germain, the club sealed the title with a 2-1 victory over Auxerre on the 20th May 2012. It perhaps marked one of the most glorious days in the club's history.
That season saw Olivier Giroud finish the season with 21 goals and 9 assists to seal the golden boot. Despite being tied on goals with PSG attacker Nenê, Giroud was crowned the top scorer by the LFP due to finishing with more goals in open play.
A decisive return to action against Saint-Étienne
On their return from the international break, Jean-Louis Gasset's side have a serious fight on their hands to retain their Ligue 1 status by the end of the season. MHSC face a huge trip to Stade Geoffroy Guichard to face a Saint-Étienne side that sit only three points away in the relegation play-off zone. A win against ASSE, could see Montpellier overtake or go level on points with any of the four teams above them in the table.
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