Nîmes Olympique: dark forces, a looming threat, a quick hello, a drop in attendance, echoes of the Crocos

Threatened by his team's poor results, crocodile coach Adil Hermach, who gave a lot of instructions against Valenciennes, gained a little respite after the encouraging draw against the Northerners (0-0). Midi Libre – Alexis Bethune

A look back at the behind-the-scenes of the draw conceded by Nîmes Olympique against Valenciennes (0-0), Friday January 31.

A little peace

Nîmes did not beat Valenciennes (0-0), Friday January 31, but is no longer relegated. The point taken and the encouraging performance of the crocodile team will certainly give coach Adil Hermach some respite. A coach still supported by the sports director Sébastien Larcier who, after the match, was pleased to have seen “a combative team, fully behind its coach”.

The National ranking

Even if he repeats: “We'll do the accounts at the end”, Adil Hermach, himself, appreciated being out of the red zone: “As some only look at the ranking, this will perhaps give me a little peace and quiet…”

Peace and quiet called into question, behind the scenes, by those close to President Assaf who are campaigning for a change of coach and who, in the entourage of the crocodile team, are called “the dark forces” .

Watch out for the third card

Warned on Friday in front of Valenciennes, Ronny Labonne, who had also received a “yellow” at Châteauroux, now finds itself under threat of a third card, synonymous with automatic suspension. Beneddine and Abdeldjelil are in the same situation.

Since the start of the season, the Crocos have received 52 cards (50 yellow and 2 red, 29 at home, 23 away), which is almost an average of three per game.

Hello from Mathieu Michel

Former Croco goalkeeper Mathieu Michel, Saturday January 31, in the mixed zone of the Antonins stadium. Midi Libre – Thierry Albenque

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

“Nîmes played a solid match but opposite, there was a former Croco”, smiled Mathieu Michel on Friday evening, after the draw (0-0) between NO and Valenciennes. The former Nîmes Olympique goalkeeper, now 33, was decisive, making several decisive saves.

“The Nîmes team played a good match, they really had a lot of chances, they worried us more than us, who were a little apathetic. There is real quality in this team”, he analyzed for Midi Libre, at the end of the match.

Mathieu Michel, who wore the crocodile jersey 83 times (79 Ligue 2 matches, 3 Coupe de la Ligue matches, 1 Coupe de France match) between 2013 and 2016, was not discovering the Antonins. “I had already come with Niort, two years ago (January 28, 2023) and we lost 3-2.”

Applauded by the Nîmes public who have not forgotten him, Mathieu Michel gave his jersey to a NO supporter and signed several autographs at the end of the match. “Even if the context is no longer the same since I left, facing Nîmes is always a special match for mei, assures the northern goalkeeper. It is always with a little pang that I play in front of my family and friends. The Nîmes supporters welcomed me well, it warms my heart. I wish the Crocos and their coach many good things for the rest of the Championship.”

Another saving post

In the first leg, Valenciennes had already hit the Nîmes bar through Flamarion. On Friday, it was Oyewusi who saw his header pushed away by the crossbar. Since the start of the season, the Crocodiles have been saved five times by their post. For their part, they have hit the opposing posts four times.

A low attendance

The worst attendance of the season at the Stade des Antonins was recorded against Valenciennes with 1,082 spectators counted. While the attendance has never yet fallen below 1,000 people, it has not exceeded 2,000 (2,208 to be exact) since the reception of Orléans (1st day). The average number of spectators at home, for the moment: 1,461.

And now, Régis Brouard's Rouen

Nîmes Olympique will travel to Rouen on Friday, February 7 (kick-off at 7:30 p.m.). The team coached by former Croco (player and coach) Régis Brouard is currently 11th in the National, with 22 points, six more than Nîmes.

The FCR, which had three matches without a win (1 draw, 2 losses), won 3-1 on Friday January 31 in Orléans. The Normandy team has the 9th record in the National at home: 3 wins, 5 draws, 2 losses, 14 goals scored, 9 conceded.

I subscribe to read the rest