Nîmes Olympique: after the draw at Antonins against Le Mans (0-0), the Crocos' notes

With his partner Mendy in central defence, Waly Diouf, who prevented Bernardeau from recovering the ball from Le Mans, once again held the fort at the back and allowed Simon to achieve his 5th personal clean sheet. Midi Libre – Mikaël Anisset

The Crocos, who had a big highlight in the first half, again lacked efficiency and had to concede a draw (0-0) at home, this Friday, December 6.

Simon (5): it wasn't the most complicated match he played. He did what he had to do when he had to do it. He thus managed his 5th personal clean sheet in ten matches. Even if several balls were lying around in his area, he didn't have to make any saves in the first half. He just came out perfectly far from his goal to get ahead of Gueye who had been launched into space (9th).

In the second half, he was saved by his crossbar on a shot from Gueye (52nd) and saw a header from Vula go over (84th). He easily stopped a shot from Gueye (65th) and made a comeback in the air which relieved his team in added time.

Sbaï (5): the right-back, who had not been a starter since the 3rd matchday, was sober but effective for his return. He was not very visible in the first half, the Nîmes game leaning to the left, focusing above all on defending well. He still made his mark with a nice cross (for Abdeljelil) at the end of the race on one of his rare climbs (37th).

The results of the 14th matchday and the National ranking

Was much more active offensively in the second half, trying to give away penultimate balls and combine. Got caught by Burlet at the start of the action which ended with a shot on the crossbar (52nd). Beaten by Vula with a header (84th). He gave his all and ended up with cramps.

Diouf (6): he put in a top-notch performance defensively. He was solid in the duel almost on the halfway line (23rd) and calm with his head to serve a teammate (24th). Author of a rough intervention on Gueye which earned him a verbal warning from the referee (26th). Cleared a ball that was hanging around in the area (33rd).

He was cautioned at the start of the second half (49th). This didn't bother him, he continued to do the job, despite a bad pass (77th), notably cutting off a dangerous trajectory (54th). He could have delivered his team by heading in a corner from Mexico, the ball being cleared on his line by Burlet (86th).

Mendy (cap., 6): Like his central hinge partner, he is the author of a solid performance. Author of a decisive intervention in front of Rabillard at the start of the match (1st). Misses his offensive header on a cross from Beneddine (12th). A tackle that was too strong on Gueye earned him a card (28th); on the free kick that followed, it was he who returned the ball. Caught by Rabillard who wrapped himself around him but was stopped by Beneddine (32nd).

In the second half, very often well-placed, he cut off a pass with a perfect sliding tackle (61st) and successfully cleared it with his head while he was on the back foot (69th). Is not marking on the successful header by Vula who could have hit the target (84th).

Beneddine (6): he was very active both defensively and offensively. He delivered at least six interesting crosses in the first half, three of which would have deserved a better fate (11th, 12th, 26th). Author of a nice reversal of play (18th). Tries a more than audacious lob from over 50m on a free kick (31st). Defends well on Rabillard (34th), completely misses a corner (38th) and tries a dangerous roulette in the area and gets the ball taken, fortunately without damage (40th).

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In the second half, he focused more on his defensive work. He was more involved and did rather well overall, even if a loss of the ball led, a few seconds later, to a goal ball for Robillard.

Akkal (4): very visible during the preparation match against Saint-Priest and a scorer, he did not stand out this time. Activity, balls scraped but not enough impact and offensive involvement. Replaced by Lemaangr (67th) who made his first appearance in the Championship this season. He fought, as usual.

Picouleau (5): low point of the 4-4-2 diamond, he went back down low enough to look for the balls and then find his partners in midfield. Which he did perfectly in the first act during the long strong period of the Crocos.

Because of his positioning, he was less present at the front to try to make the difference. Tried to find Abdeljelil with a lobbed ball (7th). Defensively, he responded and worked, notably clearing a hot ball in the area (31st).

Mexico (5):the most dangerous Croco of the match. Still as technically fine, which allows him to combine in small spaces, he lacks efficiency. In the first half, his perfect cross from the left would have deserved better fate but there was no one to receive it (21st).

In the second half, his pivot shot went over the Le Mans goal (81st) and it was he who took the corner that was close to allowing Diouf to score (86th). If he did not lift a free kick enough (89th), he made his mark with a saving return in his area in added time.

Marcel (4): he too knows how to handle the ball and play in small areas but he does not manage to be decisive. He still recovered a risky clearance from Kocik, the Le Mans goalkeeper, and found Bouaoune in the area, an action that should have resulted in a goal (11th). A loss of the ball that could have had consequences (15th).

In the second half, he disappeared a little from circulation. He can and must bring much more offensively and perhaps, in certain situations, not hesitate to try his luck. Replaced by Doukansy (73rd) who raked in a few balls and made some interesting offensive passes.

Bouaoune (3): he undeniably has the ball – which he sometimes touches too much – but he is not impactful enough. He is also too inconsistent, being capable of the best as well as the worst. A loss of the ball offered a dangerous situation to Le Mans (5th).

On a serve from Marcel, in the area, when he could certainly have taken his chance, he tried to serve Abdeljelil first but his technical gesture was not precise (11th). On the counterattack, he pushed his ball too much and came up against a Le Mans defender while Marcel and Abdeljelil were waiting for the ball in the middle (35th).

Replaced by Camara after the break, who made some defensive withdrawals but was transparent on the offensive side.

Abdeljelil (3): a complicated match for the crocodile striker who didn't have many balls, who didn't know how to win them and who didn't know how to get past his bodyguards on the crosses from Mexique (12th), Benedine (12th) and Sbaï (37th). Had to change his shoes in the 20th minute.

In the second half, he had the ball to score but Burlet's leg prevented him from shooting (55th). Replaced by Ali Abdallah (73rd) who, like Camara, did not contribute much, apart from this overflow which led to a corner (85th).

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