Nîmes Olympique: five flops and two tops, discover the Crocos' scores after the defeat in Valenciennes (0-2)

Soirée difficile pour Namakoro Diallo et les Crocos, ce vendredi au stade du Hainaut. MIDI LIBRE – Doriane Michalak

The defense was shaky, except for Iafrate; the attack was interesting and then harmless, except for Marcel: the Crocodiles delivered a contrasting game and performances on Friday, August 30 in the North. Here are the scores, out of 10, from Eric Delanzy live from the Hainaut stadium and Jérôme Morin in front of his screen.

Simon Ngapandouentnbu: 4 (Eric Delanzy) and 4 (Jérôme Morin). The Marseille goalkeeper appeared very calm for his debut against Châteauroux. He was much more shaky in Valenciennes, releasing balls and almost causing a penalty at the end of the first half. On the other hand, he can do nothing about the two Valenciennes goals.

Namakoro Diallo: 3 and 4. Difficult first start, first as a left central defender then as a full-back in the second half. He quickly had difficulty in his recovery and facing the two Valenciennes central attackers. Unlucky on the first goal, when Oyewusi tried twice in front of him before scoring. Did little offensively in the 2nd half.

Formose Mendy: 3 and 4. Also a difficult evening for the captain, from the start (he missed the ball and left it to Flamarion who ran towards the goal and hit the crossbar, which cost him two points on his score) to the end (altercation with Kayi Sanda while he was trying to bring the extra man offensively. Also powerless on the counter leading to the penalty and the 2nd goal.

Jérémy Iafrate: 6 and 6.The good surprise of Adil Hermach continues to surprise favorably. Irreproachable, very clean, almost perfect in the first half except on the last action where he cleared (badly) with a high ball. Right back at the restart following the tactical reorganization, he did the essentials, before giving way to Marowane Khalid, who made his mark from the start with the first good cross of the 2nd half, without following up afterwards.

Hamza Sbaï: 3 and 3.Surely his worst performance in the pro croco jersey. It happens. At fault for the first goal, guilty of a lateral loss of the ball in midfield, he was overtaken on the counter which led to the penalty and the second goal. A match to forget for him. Taken off for Derick Osei, first minutes with Nîmes, who played simply and not too badly. He stood out with a cross shot on target. To be reviewed.

Mehdi Beneddine: 5 and 5. He has real technical ease and adaptability to this National championship. He brings a lot, behind and in the middle, but he still lacks decisiveness. A great duel with Buades. A big downside: he hit the set pieces poorly.

Mathis Picouleau: 5 and 4. A real good regulator of the Nîmes game during the first half hour, but his activity declined afterwards, like the Valenciennes counterattack on which he could not stop Oyewusi. We expect even more from him because like Beneddine, he is not bothered by the ball.

Jonathan Mexique: 3 and 4. A failed first start for the Martinican, lacking rhythm and inspiration. Missed passes and a shot, too, unusual things for him. Logically replaced at the hour mark by Salim Akkal, who initially seemed to bring something before weakening and being cautioned (81st).

Vincent Marcel: 6 and 5. Without doubt the best Croco of the day, with Iafrate. Hampered during the first two days by intercostal pain, he clearly stepped up at the Hainaut stadium. By several notches. He hurt the VA defense, who had to stop him irregularly several times. Crosses, strikes, ideas… the Guadeloupean is on the right track. He has something extra, starting with his technical ease.

Ismaël Camara: 4 and 2. Hit in the cheekbone, he was taken off at half-time by Adil Hermach. He tried a lot, offered a lot, without success, during the first half. Not successful, like against Châteauroux. Lacking precision and accuracy.

Oussama Abdeldjelil: 4 and 4. A good start, where we felt he was able to score again, as in the first two days. But he then broke his teeth on the three Valenciennes axial defenders, and was unable to be decisive. Too often beaten, this time, in offensive duels.

Issam Bouaoune: 4 and 4. He replaced Camara after the break. He had the ammunition and good balls to give and convert, in vain. Good in the penultimate pass, but not in the last, nor in the last gesture. But it was not easy to come back in the 2nd half against a confident and well-placed northern rearguard.

I subscribe to read the rest