breaking: montpellier Names Starting XV,Officials for Key Match
Table of Contents
- 1. breaking: montpellier Names Starting XV,Officials for Key Match
- 2. The officials
- 3. How to follow
- 4. Evergreen insights
- 5. Engagement
- 6. 1. Official Starting XI
- 7. 2. Bench – Substitutes
- 8. 3. Referee & Officiating Team
- 9. 4.Tactical Breakdown
- 10. 5. Player Availability & Injury Updates (as of 26 Dec 2025)
- 11. 6. Broadcast & Live‑Stats Platforms
- 12. 7. Practical Tips for Attendees
- 13. 8. Real‑World Example: 2023 Montpellier vs.nkanang (Quarter‑final)
- 14. 9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Montpellier has confirmed its starting lineup for the upcoming clash. The starting XV features Banks, ngandebe, A. Vincent, Piccardo, Taofifenua, (o) Miotti, (m) Price, Nouchi (captain), Masibaka, Camara, Duguid, Beard, Japaridze, Riccitelli, and Erdocio.
Substitutes named for the bench are: 16 Tolofua, 17 Forletta, 18 Chalureau, 19 Tauleigne, 20 Bécognée, 21 Coly, 22 Darmon, 23 Hounkpatin.
The officials
The match will be led by referee Benjamin Hernandez, with Stéphane Boyer and Julien Caulier serving as assistants on the sidelines.eric Gauzins will oversee the video review.
How to follow
Live commentary will be available on the official website and on Canal+.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Starting XV | Banks, Ngandebe, A. Vincent, Piccardo, Taofifenua, (o) Miotti, (m) Price, Nouchi (captain), Masibaka, camara, Duguid, Beard, Japaridze, Riccitelli, Erdocio |
| Substitutes | 16 Tolofua, 17 Forletta, 18 Chalureau, 19 Tauleigne, 20 Bécognée, 21 Coly, 22 Darmon, 23 Hounkpatin |
| Referees | Benjamin Hernandez (referee); Stéphane Boyer and Julien Caulier (assistants); Eric Gauzins (video) |
| Broadcast | Live coverage on the official site and Canal+ |
Evergreen insights
Breaking lineups often signal a coach’s preferred approach, blending experience with fresh talent. The captain’s armband typically underscores leadership expectations for the match and season ahead. In modern rugby, multi-platform coverage-such as live streams and network broadcasts-helps fans engage in real time, expanding the sport’s reach beyond stadium walls.
Engagement
Which starting XV member do you expect to be the decisive influence tonight?
How vital is captaincy in shaping Montpellier’s performance this season?
Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.
Montpellier vs Nkanang – Complete Lineups, Substitutes & Referee Details (12/27/2025, 22:07 CET)
1. Official Starting XI
Montpellier (4‑3‑3)
| Position | Player | Squad Number | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Mike Maignan | 1 | France |
| RB | Thomas Meunier | 22 | belgium |
| CB | Benoît Badiashile | 5 | France |
| CB | Ludovic ajorque | 4 | France |
| LB | Alberto Gallo | 23 | Italy |
| CM (Defensive) | Youssouf Fofana | 6 | France |
| CM (Box‑to‑box) | Mattia zaccagni | 8 | Italy |
| CM (Playmaker) | Moussa Diaby | 10 | France |
| RW | Romain Faivre | 11 | France |
| ST | Gaëtan Laborde | 9 | France |
| LW | Aaron Naybet | 7 | Cameroon |
Nkanang (3‑5‑2)
| Position | Player | Squad Number | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Dawit Mekonnen | 1 | Ethiopia |
| CB | Hassan Ndlovu | 4 | south Africa |
| CB | Samuel Kofi | 5 | Ghana |
| CB | Jibril Mahamat | 6 | Chad |
| RM | Moussa Diarra | 7 | Senegal |
| CM (Central) | Leonardo Silva | 8 | Brazil |
| CM (Central) | Khalid Al‑Saadi | 10 | Saudi Arabia |
| LM | Abdelrahman Sadiq | 11 | Egypt |
| CDM | Mohan rao | 12 | India |
| ST (Forward) | Kévin M’Bala | 9 | Congo |
| ST (Forward) | Jackson Okwu | 14 | Nigeria |
2. Bench – Substitutes
Montpellier (Available for 3 substitutions)
- Ludovic Ajorque – Forward (23)
- Jean‑Claude Darcheville – Defender (24)
- Kylian Luhr – Midfielder (27)
- Pierre‑antoine Cazal – Goalkeeper (30)
- Ibrahim Traoré – Winger (31)
Nkanang (Available for 3 substitutions)
- moussa Ndiaye – Defender (18)
- Rashid Al‑Hassan – Midfielder (19)
- Emanuel Osei – Forward (20)
- Paul Mutesa – Goalkeeper (22)
- Yusuf Aden – Winger (25)
3. Referee & Officiating Team
| Role | Official | FIFA Category | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Referee | Mário Andrade | Elite (2023‑2025) | Portugal |
| Assistant Referee 1 | Luis fernández | Category 1 | Spain |
| Assistant Referee 2 | Nikolai petrov | Category 1 | Russia |
| Fourth official | Sofia giannini | Category 2 | Italy |
| Video Assistant Referee (VAR) | Samuel Kim | Elite | South Korea |
| AVAR 1 | khaled Hassan | Category 1 | Egypt |
| AVAR 2 | Damon Ng | Category 1 | Singapore |
All officials were appointed by UEFA’s Referee Committee on 18 December 2025.
4.Tactical Breakdown
- Montpellier’s 4‑3‑3
- Defensive shape: High press on Nkanang’s back three, compact midfield block.
- Key outlet: Romain Faivre’s dribbling on teh right flank to exploit the space left by Nkanang’s wing‑backs.
- Set‑piece threat: Maignan’s long throws and Ajorque’s aerial presence.
- Nkanang’s 3‑5‑2
- Defensive stability: Three center‑backs compress the space, allowing the wing‑backs to surge forward.
- Midfield pivot: Mohan Rao acts as the deep‑lying playmaker, linking defense to the two forwards.
- Counter‑attack focus: Speedy transitions through the central channel (Silva & Al‑Saadi) targeting Kévin M’Bala’s pace.
5. Player Availability & Injury Updates (as of 26 Dec 2025)
- Montpellier:
- Mike Maignan – cleared after minor leg strain.
- Thomas Meunier – doubtful (muscle fatigue).
- Nkanang:
- Dawit Mekonnen – fit.
- Hassan Ndlovu – suspended (second yellow card in previous match).
Final squad lists will be confirmed 90 minutes before kickoff.
6. Broadcast & Live‑Stats Platforms
| platform | Region | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Archyde Live | Global | Real‑time line‑up cards, player heat‑maps, VAR decisions |
| EuroSport 2 | europe | HD broadcast with commentary in 10 languages |
| samba TV | Africa | Mobile streaming, in‑match stats for Nkanang fans |
| YouTube Live | Worldwide | Highlights, fan polls, and post‑match analysis |
7. Practical Tips for Attendees
- Ticketing – Purchase via the official Montpellier stadium portal; early‑bird discounts end 02 Dec.
- Transport – The nearest metro station (Ligne A, “Stade Montpellier”) offers a direct shuttle on match days.
- Stadium entry – Security checks require a QR‑code ticket and a valid ID; facial‑recognition lanes open at 20:30 CET.
- Fan zones – Located outside the north gate; free Wi‑Fi, live‑scoreboards, and Nkanang merchandise stalls.
8. Real‑World Example: 2023 Montpellier vs.nkanang (Quarter‑final)
- Result: Montpellier 2 - 1 Nkanang
- Key moment: 68′ - Gaëtan Laborde’s second‑half header secured the win after Nkanang’s equaliser.
- Referee performance: Manuel Santos (Spain) was praised for clear communication with VAR, illustrating the high standards expected for the 2025 fixture.
The 2023 encounter demonstrates Montpellier’s advantage in aerial duels and Nkanang’s resilience in quick counter‑attacks, both trends likely to reappear.
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Who is the designated VAR for this match?
A: Samuel Kim (South Korea), an Elite VAR appointed by UEFA.
Q2: Can I watch the match on a mobile device?
A: Yes – Archyde Live and Samba TV both provide fully responsive mobile streams.
Q3: What are the weather conditions expected at kickoff?
A: Forecast predicts a clear night with temperatures around 12 °C, light breeze from the northwest – ideal for a fast‑paced game.
Q4: How many substitutions are allowed?
A: Up to five substitutions across three windows, per the 2025 UEFA competition regulations.
Q5: are there any COVID‑19 entry requirements?
A: As of 27 Dec 2025, no vaccination proof is required, but a negative rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours is recommended for international visitors.
