Nîmes Olympique: shaken up in the first period, the Crocos concede their first defeat in preparation

The starting eleven: Marcel, Cozzella, Paviot, Badu, Mendy, Camara (from left to right in the 2nd row); Diallo, Beneddine, Sbaï, Akkal, Amara (from left to right, in front). Midi Libre – Thierry Albenque

Facing Aubagne, promoted to National, the Crocos lost 2-1 their fourth preparation match, this Saturday evening in Mallemort (Bouches-du-Rhône).

Facing Aubagne, promoted to National, who they will not meet in the Championship until January 17, 2025 (last day of the first leg), the Crocos lost 2-1, Saturday July 27 in Mallemort (Bouches-du-Rhône). A defeat after three victories in a row. In difficulty in the first act, because they were clearly lacking energy, the Crocos reacted after the break but they lacked efficiency and were caught on the counter, during their strong moment.

The technical sheet

Aubagne (N) – Nîmes (N) : 2-1.
Mallemort, stadium d’Honneur.
Half-time: 1-0.
Referee&n bsp;: M. Gaillouste.
Goals for Aubagne : Sbaï (40th own goal), Nsimba (56th).
Goal for Nîmes: Laurens (81st).
Warning at Aubagne: Rocchia (59th).
Warning at Nîmes: Mendy (52nd).
NÎMES (1st period): Cozzella – Sbaï, Mendy (cap.), Paviot, Diallo- Akkal, Beneddine – Camara, Marcel, Amara – Badu.
NÎMES (2nd period) : Ichalanen – Sbaï (Labonne, 61st), Mendy (cap.) (Iafrate, 68th), Paviot (Diouf, 68th), Beneddine (Larcier, 68th) – Bouaoune, Akkal (Lemaangr, 68th) – Camara (Khalid, 68th), Marcel (Laurens, 64th), Amara (El Hamri, 68th) – Badu (Nkakoutou, 61st).

Hard to combine in the first half

From the team that started on Wednesday against Istres, only Sbaï, Diallo (in difficulty in his left flank), Marcel, Amara and Badu, the striker on trial, remained at kick-off. In the 4-2-3-1 set up, Beneddine played in midfield, a position that is not his, associated with recovery with Akkal.

In the first half, Nîmes had difficulty combining offensively. Note: a corner from Beneddine taken by Badu, his header going over (14th)  a long-range free kick from Beneddine without danger for Gil (30th) ; a cross from Diallo taken on a half-volley by Badu, Gil slamming a ball that flew under his crossbar into a corner (45th + 2).

Defensively, Cozzella and his partners had to work

Defensively, the Crocos, however, had to work hard. Aubagne, who will face Valenciennes on the first day (a supervisor from the northern club was in the stands), repeatedly brought danger into the Crocos area, who were on a tightrope every time they lost the ball. Cozzella got down to deflect a low shot from Benatab (23rd). On a long cross, Cozzella missed his exit and Nsimba's header, flagged offside, crashed against the crossbar (36th). On a counterattack, starting from midfield, Ketir presented himself in front of Cozzella who opposed with his whole body to deflect the shot (39th).

Logically, Aubagne, trained by Maxence Flachez, ended up being rewarded. At the far post, Sbaï wanted to put a long cross back to Cozzella with his chest but he scored an own goal (1-0, 40th).

Two nice volleys from Badu

Just before the break, Nîmes could have equalized but, on Badu's half-volley, receiving a cross from Diallo, Gil slammed the ball over his crossbar (45th +2).

Nîmes started the second half much better, thanks in particular to Bouaoune who brought some verticality into the game, and Badu's volley could have hit the target if it had not been blocked (53rd). More pressing and much more present in Aubagne's half of the pitch, the Crocos were surprised on the counter. Launched into space, Nsimba, the former Avranches player, was faster than Paviot. He then beat Ichalalen and straightened his ball without difficulty (2-0, 56th).

Laurens, top scorer in the preparation with three goals

Nîmes, who, with the changes made, now switched to 4-3-3, kept the monopoly of the ball and, after an offensive move in a small perimeter, Nouichi made two saves in quick succession in front of Amara and Camara (66th). Larcier then perfectly launched El Hamri who shot into the small outside netting (78th). In the second half, from a cross from Labonne headed by Ngakoutou, Laurens, from close range, reduced the score (2-1, 81st), scoring his third goal in preparation.