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Football: Nîmes Olympique, a dime a dozen

Against Lille on Saturday night at Costières, the Crocos, still taken against, have collected an eleventh defeat in the last 13 matches. They desperately stagnate at 12 points.

With 12 points at the end of the first leg, Jérôme Arpinon did as badly as his predecessor Bernard Blaquart. A year ago, Rani Assaf had not sacked his coach, and Nîmes had fled at the end, or rather in March with the end of the championship. We do not know if the new coach and his team will have the same fate, but we did not feel that his players let him go last night. Unlike the 150 supporters who shouted “Arpinon resignation!” (and Assaf, too) when the Crocs arrive at the stadium.

It was not a time to discover oneself, and NO once again had the icy experience. As against Angers at home, as in Strasbourg and as too often this season, the Crocos were stupidly caught against, caught by the cold realism of Lille.

A look back at the short victory of @losclive face au @nimesolympique ?#NOLOSC pic.twitter.com/bnsJUy5Y2S

— Ligue 1 Uber Eats (@Ligue1UberEats) January 9, 2021

Just before the half hour mark, Alakouch intercepted a ball that he wanted to pass to Roux. Ball lost, right lane deserted, Bamba who centers and Yilmaz, 9th goal in L1, which ends in front of a helpless Deaux (0-1, 29th). In this first period without a goalkeeper stopping, it was the first Gard error. Facing Losc, it was one too many. The summary of a confrontation between a team sure of its strength and a team sure of nothing …

Ahlinvi misses the equalizer

This time, at least, NO did not concede a second goal two (see Strasbourg and Dijon) or five minutes (against Nice) after the first … So that a (slim) hope remained at the resumption.

Organized in 4-1-4-1 with Ripart in the middle, Nîmes suffered less than usual. And sometimes grew bolder, often thanks to Ferhat, whose inspirations could have been worth a red to his opposite Bradaric (orange yellow, 19th).

The Nîmes believed in it until the end, they almost tied in possession (48%) but Alakouch was countered (55th), Ferhat shot above (63rd) and, above all, the incoming Ahlinvi was missed a golden opportunity (89th) while Reynet had preserved the suspense against Yilmaz (56th). Faced with Northerners who were not having a great night, they should have hit more, hit better (no attempt on target). But they still lack an offensive impact, like Roux. In the last 13 meetings (11 defeats), only one center forward has scored: Koné, and again, to save honor against Angers (1-5).

Les Crocos lost again (7th consecutive setback at Costières!). The spirit of January, a month which is usually so favorable to them, has not helped them. So, let’s remember that last year, they fled in February by chaining four victories. Hope gives life …

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