Nîmes Olympique: “Don't worry and don't lower your head”, Abdeljelil's advice before the reception of Nancy

For top scorer Oussama Abdeljelil, seen here in action against Le Mans (0-0) on December 6, the crocodile attackers must “take their chances more often”. Midi Libre – Mikaël Anisset

Before hosting the leader Nancy on Friday for the 16th day of the National, Nîmes Olympique striker Oussama Abdeljelil spoke to Midi Libre.

“Train to be better than yesterday but not stronger than tomorrow.”This is the motto of crocodile striker Oussama Abdeljelil. A motto that “is valid for football as well as everyday life”, specifies the top scorer of Nîmes Olympique.

The 16th day and the National ranking

Author of six goals (the FFF finally attributed to him the goal scored at Paris 13 Atletico), already as many as last season at Cholet, the 31-year-old Franco-Algerian is on the third step of the podium of the National scorers ranking, tied with the Rouennais Benkaid, the Castelroussin Diallo and the Valenciennes Oyewusi.

Monday, January 6, late afternoon at La Bastide, after the day's session, Oussama Abdeljelil, under contract until June 2025 (he has an option for another year in the event of promotion), spoke to Midi Libre for about forty minutes. Interview.

It's the season of wishes. What can we wish for Nîmes Olympique ?

Lots of victories and lots of goals. That the team climbs as high as possible in the rankings.

Should we be worried about staying up??

No, I'm really not worried about that. We still have a good group with good players who want to move forward together. We will continue to work as we have been since the return from vacation to reverse the trend.

The Crocos' echoes

Hinge. Diouf and Mendy will be suspended for the reception of Nancy. "They take too many cards (6 each), we must reduce their number", noted Adil Hermach, Wednesday, January 8. Since their arrival in Nîmes last season, this is the first time that one or the other will not be lined up at kick-off. It is the Iafrate-Paviot duo that will be associated in central hinge. “I don't want to hear that we will be diminished, warns the crocodile coach. We will adapt." Lined up last Saturday in a friendly against Fréjus/Saint-Raphaël (0-0), Iafrate and Paviot "reassured me and reassured themselves, notes the crocodile coach. They were solid despite a few stupidities".

Scorers.If Aubagne is the team with the most different scorers in the National this season (12 in total for 19 goals scored), Nîmes only has 4 (Abdeljelil, Camara, Ali Abdallah, Picouleau) for 10 goals scored, less than any other team.

Rest. Beneddine did not train on Wednesday morning. “He just needed to rest”, reassured Hermach. Diouf also missed the session, due to a blow to the knee. Amara and Cozzella are still in the re-athleticization phase.

What more or different needs to be done to achieve this ?

First of all, don't give up, don't stop believing in order to create success so that things turn in our favor. It's down to small details and, as we know, in football, the most important thing is the details. We have to do better, we know that. There are quite a few matches that we should have won and that ended in a draw or a defeat, that's where the details come in.

In every match, there is something to do, offensively. It would be more worrying if the opportunities weren't there. It's up to us to show more experience, more malice, to be meaner to hurt the opponent when we have the opportunity.

We have this ability to bring the balls out well, to keep them well but we have trouble getting them in front of the goal. To be more dangerous, we would have to try more, take our chances more often, that would increase our chances of scoring.

Does this lack of realism make you doubt ?

Individually, with the stats I have, there's no reason to worry. It's not like I was overwhelmed with balls and missed everything. However, I could have clearly scored more goals, I have regrets about certain situations that I could have handled better. But, sometimes, I also lacked balls. I would like to be touched more in the box.

Afterwards, I am mentally equipped to bounce back quickly and switch. I focus on what is happening, not on what has happened. Individually, I am therefore not affected when I fail, but I am aware that failing, me or someone else, can have a collective impact.

What advice do you give to your partners to free themselves? ?

I tell them not to worry and not to lower their heads, to never give up, not to doubt their qualities, there are a lot of them in this squad. To avoid getting fog in your head and doubt setting in, you must not dwell on a missed opportunity but think immediately about the next one.

Friday January 10, the return looks complicated against Nancy, the leader…

In this homogeneous Championship, there are surprises every weekend, everyone can beat everyone. We have the arguments to thwart Nancy, who are not crushing the competition either and who conceded 4 at the beginning of December in Aubagne (the match was given to be replayed on Tuesday, January 14, Editor's note). It is important to start well. This can allow us to gain a lot of confidence and become aware of what we are capable of.

Nîmes (13th, 15 points) – Nancy (1st, 27 points) Friday, January 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Stade des Antonins. I subscribe to read the rest