Nîmes Olympique: an offensive festival against Sochaux to formalize the maintenance in National

From the penalty spot, Mathis Picouleau (5th personal goal) launched Nîmes Olympique on the path to success. Midi Libre – Michael Esdourrubailh

Author of a hat-trick, Freddy Mbemba was one of the great architects of the 11th victory won by the Crocos. He increased his goal capital to six units. Midi Libre – Michael Esdourrubailh

The Crocs can exult. Thanks to their 7th victory of the season at the Antonins, Camara, Sbaï, Mexico, Mendy, Diouf validated their retention in National. Midi Libre – Michael Esdourrubailh

Against Sochaux, Friday evening at the Antonins, on behalf of the 33rd day of National, the Crocos put on a show by scoring 4 goals and won an 11th victory synonymous with maintaining.

They didn't master everything, they had a few scares but they nicely secured the victory, the fourth in a row (a big first this season) and the maintenance that goes with it. Next season, the Crocos will still play in the National. For the final clap to the Antonins, they offered an offensive festival to their public, Friday May 10, with four goals, including two magnificent in their construction. Four goals, they who until then had never scored more than two…

The 33rd day of National and the ranking

At half-time, the team was on the right track since Nîmes Olympique led 2-0. In the space of six minutes, the Crocos, rather pressing and suffocating against the Sochaliens who did not display enough aggressiveness and intensity to get by, had inherited two penalties .

Two penalties won by Mbina

Both won by Mbina (faults by Vitelli and Drammeh) who, a little earlier, had lost his face-to-face with Patouillet (4th). Both drawn by two different players. Both scored while Nîmes suffered two failures in the exercise (Mbina and Sané): the left-handed Picouleau sent the first into the top corner (1-0, 21st); the right-hander Mbemba managed a perfect counter-attack on the second (2-0, 27th). Fifth personal goal for one, fourth for the other. Ideal.

After these two goals, the pace of the match dropped even if Nîmes still placed a few (small) banderillas through Camara, Sbaï and Mendy with headers (32nd, 34th and 45th).

Sochaux gives a little thrill

Barely glimpsed until then (shots from Zohi too uncrossed and from Michel too soft, 30th and 44th), Sochaux gave a little thrill to the restart with this direct corner from Silva on which Paradowski and co found a hole (2-1, 48e).

Perfect service from Mbina – who had caught Vitelli – for Mbemba allowed the Crocos to catch their breath (3-1, 59th). Not for long since Lecolier, like a good student, finished a school attack (3-2, 64th). Sochaux roared, Nîmes suffered and Paradowski diverted Fatar's curling shot and avoided the equalizer (74th).

Mbemba's hat-trick

Even with a draw, the case would have been heard. But the Crocos de Hermach undoubtedly have something extra at the end of the championship. And in a clear and inspired three-way movement (Khalid-Picoueau-Mbina), Mbemba could score his hat-trick (4-2, 85th). The (offensive) fireworks were over, the lap of honor could begin…

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