Nabil Alioui did all the scoring for Le Havre as the promoted side drew 2-2 at home to hotshots Rennes and also got on the scoresheet in wins against Lorient and Clermont to take his season tally to four goals.
“For a player to come from Ligue 2 and do what he’s doing shows his potential,” Le Havre boss Luka Elsner told the Ligue 1 Show.
Elsner is a believer, but it took some time for Nabil Alioui to show the footballing world his talent. A Monaco academy graduate, he never got a chance with the principality’s senior team but, after a spell in Belgium, Alioui finally started playing regularly in the French second tier with Le Havre in 2020.
A new chapter
Alioui’s first taste of Ligue 1 Uber Eats action came this summer. He marked his third top-flight start with the double against Rennes, which included a brilliant counterattack that Alioui both started… and finished.
“I was closed in a bit, next to the touchline, but I knew what I wanted to do,” he told the Ligue 1 Show. “I tried something and it came off. The move continued, and as I’m an attacker, I sprinted towards the box. I cut inside and tried to curl one… and it went in, so I’m really happy about that.’
While counterattacking is one of his strengths, Alioui can also score from range…
But his strike against Clermont two weeks later was all about timing.
“I’m happy he scored that goal, because in the past he hasn’t always taken advantage of those transitions,” said the Slovenian coach with deep roots in the French game. “This time, he understood there was an opening.”
Keep it rolling
Four goals: two with his right foot, one with his left and one with his head. Alioui looks like the real deal – but Elsner wants to see it backed up.
“You’re always judged on what comes next,” explained the young coach. “After scoring these goals, he’s going to get more attention from the defenders. He has shown his qualities, and now he just has to find the consistency to become a regular scorer for us.”
Alioui is on the right track and remains hungry for goals…
“I’ll score as many goals as I can. I’m doing what’s asked of me,” he declared. “I’ll work as hard as I can to ensure I perform at the weekend. I haven’t set myself a goal target, just like I’m not setting myself any limits as a player.’
Lens test
Born and raised in the south of France, Alioui fulfilled a childhood dream by playing for Le Havre at Marseille in Round 8… This Friday, as Le Havre play host to RC LensAlioui will once again be ‘one to watch’.
#Watch #Havres #Nabil #Alioui
