Nîmes beaten to the wire in Niort (3-2): the notes of the Crocos, with good and bad…

Jonathan Mexico stood out again, but Nîmes still lost to Niort (3-2). MAXPPP – Jaboutier

Friday March 15, for the 25th day of National, Nîmes lost to Niort, second in the championship behind Red Star. A 3-2 defeat after being down 2-0 and coming back to 2-2. Discover the Midi Libre notes.

Paradowski (rating: 4): he can't do anything about Niort's first goal (9th), but he is surprised at his near post on the second (16th), and by a rebound on the third (87th). Too bad, because he had just saved a first ball of 3-2 for Niort just before (80th). 62~

Labonne (6): for his return two months after Sochaux (0-2) and for his 7th start only in the championship, injuries and suspensions oblige, he brought his freshness. The most dynamic Croco of the first period and of the entire meeting, in fact. He delivered the first good Nîmes ball of the match, an opening for Mbina (22nd) at the origin of the penalty and the reduction of the score. Brought offensively in the second half, launching his Martinican friend Mexico, who found the post. Came out, rinsed, replaced by Paviot(81st), entered as third central defender.

Diouf (3): we have known him to be more imperial than at the moment, and that&# 39;s an understatement. An afternoon to forget for the great sage, beaten by Ecuele Manga on the second Niort goal from a corner, logically warned afterwards (61st) and finally injured, in the ankle, just before the goal of the victory of the Chamois. The Crocos were then 10 on the field, before Delpech entered (88th).

Mendy (cap, 5): He also had a complicated start to the game. He found himself in difficulty against the attacking duo Bakayoko (former Croco) – Inchaud. But he recovered really well afterwards, cutting off numerous Niort offensive attempts during the second act. 

Burner (3): he had a good period this fall, but for some time now, he has opted for discretion on the field . In National, he should bring 1000 times more. Also logically warned (35th), the sole scorer of the Gard success in the first leg (1-0) achieved almost nothing in Deux-Sèvres.

Sacko (4): he had the difficult task of replacing Doukansy as sentry. We felt the difference at the start of the game, in the impact. He then rose (a little in strength), like his good return at the end of the match (81st). But it was insufficient against a big name from the National.

Mexico (6): one of the Crocodiles' in-form men was initially less visible and less dominant than usual, suffering the domination of the Niort midfield in the first minutes and the first impacts. We then found him again throughout the game, taking charge of the Nîmes game and hitting the post (71st) while Delecroix was beaten. 

Picouleau (4): a strike… from the right as a meager offensive record following a corner in the first half. Defended more than attacked. Less influential than usual.  

Camara (3): where did the twirling winger from Epinal who had tormented the Nîmes defense go early November at Antonins ? A good cross for Mbemba (35th) and that's it. Too many bad choices, not enough initiative. Substituted by Thoumin(69th) who didn'come in well and who is on target for the equalizer.

Mbemba (4) : once is not customary, he does not often come to one against one, and didn't make much difference. But he was the decisive passer on Mbina's equalizing goal (2-2), with a nice delivery.

Mbina (6): he had a lot to face against Ecuele Manga, and he was little visible in the game. But, and that's the most important thing, he found the net again. And doubly: first on a penalty that he himself caused, then transformed into two stages after Delecroix repelled his attempt (24th); then a superb recovery in the heart of the area (73rd). The first two goals of the year 2024 from the center forward, who had not scored for three months and the reception of Goal FC at the Antonins (1-2). His call-up to the Gabonese selection inspired him.

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