“Nîmes Olympique’s Valiant Performance Secures Last-Minute Victory Over Pau”

Maraval (4): hardly worried, if at all, during the first forty-five minutes. However, he went to look in the back of his net for one of the few balls he had to touch (1-1, 17th). In the second half, he had little more work to do until the 84th minute when he mowed down Bassouamina, provoking a penalty converted by Begraoui who took him the wrong way (2-2). Warned about the action. Also saves his own by blocking a header from George (88th).

Labonne (4) : too much technical waste, especially in the precision of his crosses, which is always annoying when you play full back. Still on a tightrope after the break, he was still overtaken by Bassouamina who sprang from his back but did not fit his head six meters from goal (79th). A free warning a priori not retained by the former Lorient who is still caught behind his back by the same Bassouamina on the equalizer of the PFC (84th). At the origin of the center which sees Ambri narrowly fail in its recovery, Prior leaving the stop (90th).

Colt (cap., 4): his opener to Tchokounté resulted in the first croco goal. Right in his position, sometimes playing it with experience, the croco captain controlled his evening until he was taken in depth by Bassouamina, an action where he deflected the ball in the race of the Congolese striker and who ends with the equalizing penalty (84th).

De Gevigney (4) : solid overall, he notably recovered an absence of a Guessoum then more than hesitant in order to cut off a Pau offensive (32nd). However, he was too easily eliminated by Bassouamina whose recovery ended on the crossbar of Maraval (51st). His saving tackle cut a Pau offensive through this same Bassouamina (54th).

Guess (6): a first half hour completely upside down. Too lax in the marking on his direct opponents, in particular on Boisgard, at the origin of the center on the Pau equalization of Saivet (1-1, 17th). Has recovered well at the end of the initial act. Vigilant, too, after the break. Ended up turning into an unexpected savior scorer at the end of added time (3-2, 90th + 3) taking over Ambri’s center without control and shooting Prior from nine meters.

Lopy (5): can’t squirt fast enough to oppose the winning strike from PFC midfielder Saivet. His head, on the corner of Vargas, lacked power to worry the goalkeeper of Pau Prior (35th). Strangely dominated in the race by Bassouamina on an action, due to an obvious lack of determination, when he had a lead of several meters

N’Guessan (4): did not achieve the most successful performance of his season. Wanting to do too much in his recovery, he loses the ball which, a few seconds later, will see Pau return to the score. Zerkane replaced him at the end of the match (87th).

Trouble (7) : more holder since the 21st day and … the only croco victory of the season away, at Guingamp (2-1), the former Castelroussin was interesting, especially in the first period, trying to bring the danger from the right side, in percussion or through his crosses. In charge of set pieces, his quality made the difference as when he deposits, on a corner, the ball on the victorious head of Tchokounté (44th). The same action, after the break, this time ended with a header from Tchokounté slammed for a corner by Prior (50th). Logically replaced by Benezet (63rd) after a more than successful performance for a reappearance.

Paid (5) : he didn’t have his usual legs, less sharp and decisive in his accelerations. Its opening in depth towards Tchokounté would however have deserved that the Nîmes striker did better (57th). Supplied by Amber (74th) who was then thought to have missed the match point on this recovery superbly released by Prior (90th) before Guessoum appeared on one of his crosses (90th + 3).

Said (6): author of his 5th goal on the first Nîmes action of the match (1-0, 2nd), where he took advantage of a slip from Palois Koffi, after a deviation from the head of Tchokounté, ideally launching his formation. He too is more discreet than usual even if, at any time, we feel that he can get out of his box on his left side.

Tchokounte (8): the top scorer croco, who scored his 12th goal of the season in the league against Pau with an angry header from a corner from Vargas (2-1, 44th), completed a mammoth match, between generosity and efficiency. Had other opportunities to wrap up. His header (30th) is off target, his other is slammed for a corner by the Pau goalkeeper Prior (50th) and he loses his face-to-face with the former Girondins goalkeeper shortly before the hour mark, missing the ball from 3-1 and break (57th).