(Ligue 1 2023/2024): Highlights MONTPELLIER - RC LENS

Montpellier and Lens locked horns at the Monsant in the weekend's opening game, an important one for both ends of the table. Montpellier coming into the match 14th in the league standings, who are looking to stay out of the relegation zone. Whilst in contrast, Lens were looking to move into the European spots, just one point outside the top five. Coming into matchday 15, the return of Michel Desakarian to La Payade in February helped drag them out of the bottom three. However, this season has been more of a challenge. The team has been struggling to secure victories, winless since October. Looking to climb away from the threat of relegation, they were almost gifted the opening goal during shot-off, so great anticipation to steal the ball unleashed a long-range effort. With Grisomba out of position, couldn't quite find the target. Lens looked ragged in the early stages, but started to control the game as the half progressed. And their first major chance arrived just before the half-hour mark when Shevyshev Frankoski dragged his shot wide. The near post from a promising position in the box. Bit of a scramble, but time and space should have done better. Visitors continued to push, and former Payade favourite Ney Stung the palms of Benjamin Lecomte. Just inside the area from a narrow angle. It would have been hard work to beat the keeper from there. He then somehow fired over from the resulting corner when the ball broke to him from close range. Leaning back and the hook to the heavens. Certainly should have done better with that one. Along with Montpellier's struggle to secure victories, Lens also held an impressive record of four clean sheets in their four previous away games. So perhaps unsurprising that the deadlock was struggling to be broken. Following the interval, the game became more end-to-end in nature, but it was Wai who continued to have the best chances. This time played through on goal with only Benjamin Lecomte to beat. But he didn't get enough in his dinked effort, which allowed the keeper to make the save once again. Unable to return and haunt his former side. The hosts were largely reliant on the pace of Acre Adams to fashion their chances. The Nigerian did well to create himself some space before testing Brice Somba from the edge of the area. As well struck the shot too close, so the keeper was easily saved. Biggest chance of the game would also fall to Adams, who would come in the final minutes. With the Montpellier fans watching on. A chance breaking to the man they'd have wanted it to fall to. But still no way past Somba. Perhaps lacking a little confidence in his weaker left foot. And that would be that. A tale of wasteful finishing. Montpellier with 18 shots, Lens 13. But neither able to find the back of the net. A point doesn't particularly help either side in their respective objectives. Though the Songheor are now unbeaten in their last 10 league games.