Every day after a Nîmes Olympique match, Objective Gard invites to return to the meeting passed through several points. Zoom on what to remember after the draw obtained by Crocos in Niort (1-1) during the 15th day of Ligue 2.
Analyses. Although Nîmes are yet to win away from home this season, their run of six successive defeats at Costières has finally ended with this draw at the Red Lantern. But Nicolas Usaï’s men can harbor some regrets. In control, they completed the first period at the René-Gaillard stadium by logically taking a 1-0 lead thanks to the realism of Malik Tchokounté, header scorer (27th). Shortly before, the locals came back from far away thanks to a save on the line after a shot by N’Guessan (11th). The Crocos were unable to break before the interval, worse still they completely changed their face when they returned from the locker room. The niortai take the opportunity to equalize and put pressure at the end of the game in numerical superiority. Kelyan Guessoum could have been Nîmes’ savior, but his shot in the dying moments crashed into Mathieu Michel’s crossbar. A bit frustrated but time is running out and above all the Crocos are not eligible for relegation considering that with the World Cup begins a long international break of a month and a half. Nîmes are 16th ahead of Dijon thanks to a better attack. Normally it is the particular goal difference which takes precedence, but this rule only applies when the home and away games have been played. However, only one confrontation took place with a 2-1 success for the Burgundians, so this criterion does not apply.
The Croco key: Malik Tchokounté, captain scorer
For the first time this season, the coach had decided to entrust the armband to Malik Tchokounté while up to now the captains have been called Lamine Fomba and Benoît Poulain. The latter is one of the executives Nicolas Usaï counts on particularly with the two former Dunkerques: Maraval and Tchokounté. A role well suited to the striker who has assumed this new status by already scoring his sixth goal this season, his 40th in Ligue 2 of his career. Aside from his efficiency, it’s his ability to keep the ball with his back to goal that makes him essential on the Nîmes attack front. Even his coach paid tribute to him after the fight. Also noteworthy are the good performances of Fomba and N’Guessan especially in the first period and above all of Djiga in central defense who once again showed true solidity.
The notes :
Axel Maraval (5)
Ronny Labonne (5)
Mael Durand de Gevigney (4)
Nasser Djiga (6)
Patrick Burner (5)
Pattern Laminate (6)
Jean N’Guessan (5)
Jens Thomasen (no rating) then Thibaut Vargas (5)
Paul Pages (3)
Malik Chokunte (6)
Friend Said (4)
The statement : “I honestly remember one thing tonight, even if it’s the average goal, we are not relegated. We’ve been through a lot of relegation matches and if they’d told me before Bordeaux that we’d get four points from these two games, we’d have signed right away. »
Although he was not satisfied with the content of his players, especially in the second period, Nicolas Usaï is above all relieved not to be relegated during this long break. The championship will not resume until 26 December with Guingamp welcoming them to the new Antonins stadium. Even if the balance is more than mixed after 15 days, Nîmes have reason to be satisfied and are still in the running for retention. A fight that will be fierce after the World Cup. Before going on vacation, one must not fall into the trap of Montauban (R2) next Saturday at 15:00 and qualify for the 32nd Coupe de France final.
The results of this 15th day of Ligue 2 and the standings:
