For Nîmes Olympique, traveling to Châteauroux, it's now or never

Premiers non relégables, Ronny Labonne et les Crocos ne peuvent plus temporiser. Ils ont un besoin urgent de points. Midi Libre – Mikaël Anisset

For the 18th day of National, the Crocos would be inspired to win their first away game of the season on the Berrichonne pitch.

This could be a turning point in the Crocos' season. Tonight's trip to Châteauroux, the first game of the return phase, could revive them, give them “a breath of fresh air” (Hermach) and give them a new dynamic or sink them, drag them into a hellish whirlwind.

The 18th day and the National ranking

If Adil Hermach and his men have the pretension of staying in the National, they must go and impose themselves on the Gaston-Petit pitch. La Berrichonne has the worst record in the Championship at home (2 wins, 1 draw and 4 defeats). La Berrichonne has the worst defense in the National with 37 goals conceded (2.3 per match, only 1 clean sheet achieved). Berrichonne is on a run of eleven matches without a win (7 defeats, 4 draws).

The meeting of the bad students

The Crocos, who are not shining much better (6 matches without a win, only one in the last ten days), are approaching this “match of the bad students”, the Nîmes coach not liking the description of “match of fear”, with the will “not to calculate”.

It is still a feat that they will have to achieve: finally win an away match! Nîmes is in fact the only team, with… Châteauroux, not to have yet reached this point this season (4 losses, 3 draws, 2 goals scored).

However, they will have to take points away from the Antonins (10th home record) to save themselves, especially since the Nîmes team will play two more away matches during the return phase…

On “one of the most beautiful pitches in the National”, Adil Hermach wants his men to meet the physical challenge while not forgetting to play. “In Aubagne, athletically and technically, we were in front for sixty minutes but we didn't validate our strong moments”, he regrets again and again. It is worth remembering that Nîmes has the worst attack in the Championship ?

Teams

NÎMES. Two key players are missing: the defensive captain Mendy (family reasons) and the midfielder Picouleau (heel). Akkal (left knee) is also out.

Hermach has brought 18 players including two reserve players, the versatile Tom Larcier, son of the sporting director Croco, and the striker Daoudi.

Lemaangr, who appeared – and was called up – only once this season in the Championship (Le Mans, 14th day), could be a starter in midfield.

Amara, who has not played since the beginning of November, due to an injury to the 5th metatarsal of his left foot, is making his big comeback. Sbaï, Laurens and Delpech have not been retained.

Probable team: Ngapandouetnbu – Labonne, Diouf (cap.), Paviot, Beneddine – Mexico, Doukansy, Lemaangr, Bouaoune – Marcel, Abdeldjelil. Replacementsçants (&to choose from): Ichalalen (l.), Iafrate, T. Larcier, Camara , Amara, El Hamri, Daoudi.

CHÂTEAUROUX. The probable team: Konaté – Collela, Pelletier, Agounon (cap.), Umbdenstock – Versini, Chraïbi, Pierre, Tormin – Clairicia, Diallo. Replacements (to choose from): Cognard (l.), Michel, Pirès, Mendy, Magnora , N’Goma, Mbengue, Gomez. Absent: Duterte (knee), Kamissoko (ankle).

A single point won after being led

His players, assures the Gard technician, “perhaps lack talent at times” , but no desire. “Everyone is doing their best. I don't see any nonchalant attitude.” They don't lack “character in the game” either, he believes. But they certainly lack character, period. Proof: the Crocodiles only won one point after being behind (2-2 against Rouen, 4th day), conceding six defeats in these situations.

Being in the surpassing of oneself

After having said, after the defeat in Aubagne (2-0), Saturday, that it was going to be “to get off one's ass”, Adil Hermach mentioned other attributes yesterday in a press conference, noting their absence “when one has to go and hurt oneself very, very badly”. A self-transcendence that the Crocos “do not have naturally” and which consists of “doing twelve miles on the ground instead of eleven, thirteen instead of twelve…”

It's now or never.

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