Nîmes Olympique: after a victory with forceps against Cholet (2-1), the notes of the Crocos

Abdoulaye Sané and the Crocos took time to get rid of the Cholet defense. FREE MIDI – MIKAËL ANISSET

At the end of a match that he had everything but mastered, Nîmes emerged miraculously (2-1) against a Cholet team which left the Gard with a mess of regrets. 

Paradowski (5): powerless on the SOC goal, nailed to its line on the resumption from the middle of Mauges, Experience (45th). Not unhappy, he saw Renaud's fleeing free kick hit his post (64th). Hardly requested otherwise.

Sbai (4): as always, he showed activity in his right, generous lane in the offensive and defensive effort without, however, always being inspired. During the week, coach Bompard insisted that his team had to be better on crosses. Like Diallo, on the left, there is also work left in Sbai. Replaced at the break by Burner (4).

Diouf (4): like his central defense teammate Mendy, he went up to the corner, in favor of his team, which led to the opening of the Choletaise score on a school counterattack ( 0-1, 45th). A little more comfortable during the second act. 

Mendy (cap., 5):  after clean-sheet (match without conceding a goal), the Nîmes defense and his captain remained on four goals conceded in the last two matches. Against Cholet, we did not feel the most serene central axis, especially at the start of the game, Mendy and his friend Diouf being surprised by Jarju, the attacker missing the target by clumsiness, alone at six meters (18th). On a new attack from the Mauges team, the Gard captain even… lost his armband (32nd). The rest of the meeting was more serene.

Diallo (4): less visible than usual on its left side, offering fewer solutions. Author of a good defensive sliding tackle in his area to cut off a Cholet offensive (74th). On the other hand, his other intervention, arriving late on Santini's leg, logically caused him to be sent off (90th + 2). 

Mexico (8):As a midfielder, he is the one who has created the most scoring chances, which is still slightly surprising. His great activity ended up being rewarded, scorer (his first of the season) happy by putting his foot in opposition on a clearance from a Choletais (1-1, 80th). Omnipresent from the first to the last minute, both during recovery and restart. Just misses the target, from the left and from eleven meters, after a combination with Mbemba in the area (18th). If all the Crocs had shown similar energy expenditure.

Doukansy (5):  in the middle, he once again reigned in his sentry post. Often at the origin of the first restart, he broke a few lines in the Cholet midfield, finding Picouleau more likely than ever. high. Less prominent during a second period where the Nîmes, as a whole, did not do enough. Out for the benefit of Thoumin in offensive choice made by Bompard (80th). 

Camara (3): on his right wing, he tried to combine with Sbai, in particular. Often voluntary, if not always technically correct. Embarks on a series of dribbles in the area and procrastinates a little too much, his curling shot from the left being blocked by a Cholet header. Substituted for the hour of play by Doucouré, at the origin of the cross on Mexico's equalizing goal (80th).< /p>

Picouleau (6):  he often has a hand instead of his left foot. However, it was from the right that he almost opened the scoring for NO, his shot being repelled by the Cholet goalkeeper Secchi (44th). His curled free kick from the left is well boxed by Secchi (60th). Technically valuable.

Mbemba (6): his backheel for Mexico launched into the area was blocked at the last moment (15th). Obtained the biggest opportunity for Nîmes in the first period, his recovery from close range in the area being superbly diverted for a corner by the SOC goalkeeper, Secchi (36th). Clumsy until then, it was he who delivered NO with a sumptuous curling shot from the right after a support with Mbina in the area (2-1, 84th). Relayed by Sacko (89th). 

Sané (3): lacking speed in small spaces, his profile is not, it seems, not really suited to a 4-2-3-1 system. Starting for the first time since his arrival in Gard, he weighed too heavily on the visiting rearguard and was logically replaced. at the break by Mbina (6). The Gabonese striker has often offered himself. His pivot recovery ends above (54th); His uncrossed header went just wide (76th) before his pivotal shot failed in the small net of Secchi's goal (78th). His delivery on Mbemba's goal is a model of its kind (84th). His final attempt, in added time, also came close to hitting Secchi's target (90th + 5).

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