Nîmes Olympique: partying without excess, two young defenders, a few absentees, the latest crocodile news for the year 2024

Jeunes défenseurs centraux de la réserve, Yanis Klitim (à g.) et Sofian Attaba ont participé avec le groupe professionnel au dernier entraînement de l’année 2024. Midi Libre – Thierry Albenque

Le soleil a accompagné le dernier entraînement de l’année, ce mardi à La Bastide. Sofian Attaba et Yanis Klitim, jeunes défenseurs centraux de la réserve croco, étaient présents.

See you in 2025! The Crocos held their last training session of the year on Tuesday, December 31. A training session lasting over an hour and a half with sunshine and blue skies above La Bastide.

The National ranking

Shortly after 12 noon, before letting his players go, who he will meet again on Thursday for two sessions (10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.), Adil Hermach warned them: “I'm all for partying, but not overdoing it!”

The Nîmes Olympique coach, who was mainly targeting the youngest players, explains: “I always think very far ahead. You have to think about the consequences that a little excess can have. After-effects of New Year's Eve, muscle aches or a state of fatigue can lead to injury. Injured, you do not play and you can lose your place…”

“A real group”

The crocodile technician, who “cut well” during the short week of vacation, at Christmas, is satisfied with the involvement of his troops since the resumption, five days ago: “It was great! I saw boys happy to be together. Despite the difficulties we encounter on a daily basis, I feel a real group and players who live well together.”

Five players absent

For this last of the year, five Crocos were missing: Doukansy, sick and not at all ready to leave, for the moment; Picouleau, who remained in care because of a pain in his foot, nothing too serious; Amara (fracture line at the level of the fifth metatarsal) and Cozzella (rupture of the proximal insertion of the semitendinosus tendon), both in the re-athleticization phase; and Delpech, absent for “personal reasons”, said Adil Hermach.

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Finding a way out for Léon Delpech

Under contract until the end of June 2025, Léon Delpech has not been used for a single second by Adil Hermach since the start of the season. He has never even been listed on a match sheet. His last official appearance dates back to April 12, 2024 and the reception of Versailles at the Antonins (29th day, 1-0 defeat). The left-footed midfielder then came into play for about twelve minutes.

“For the club and, above all, for him, it would be good if he found a way out”, the crocodile coach does not hide, mentioning “a few touches” for the 22-year-old Bordeaux native, but who specifies:“We are still far from a termination.”

Nîmes reserve midfielders Joachim Botella (left), 34, and Marwane Hermach, 19, trained with the pros on Tuesday, December 31 December 31. Midi Libre – Thierry Albenque

Attaba and Klitim not there by chance

Among the twenty-two outfield players at work this Tuesday at La Bastide, there were four reserve players: midfielders Marwane Hermach, 19, and Joachim Botella, 34; central defenders Sofian Attaba, 18, and Yanis Klitim, 19. These last two, present alternately in recent days, gathered this Tuesday, were not there by chance.

Replacing the Diouf-Mendy duo

For the resumption of the Championship, on January 10, and the reception of the leader Nancy, Nîmes Olympique will indeed be without its Diouf-Mendy hinge, the two axial defenders being suspended.

If Iafrate and Paviot, four starts each for the moment, seem the ideal candidates to replace them, “nothing is decided yet”, assures Adil Hermach. He called on the two Nîmes residents Attaba and Klitim because he wants “see everyone and find the best possible combination. I will decide on what I see in training”.

Rehearsal Saturday against Fréjus-Saint-Raphaël

We will certainly know more about the intentions of the Nîmes coach on Saturday January 4, at 2:30 p.m. at the Antonins, during the friendly match (behind closed doors) against Fréjus-Saint-Raphaël (N2), which will serve as a “rehearsal” before Nancy's arrival.

In the meantime, this Tuesday, during the small eleven-on-eleven matches, the associated pairs were Iafrate-Paviot on one side and Attaba-Klitim on the other.

Iafrate-Paviot, two matches, two defeats

Iafrate and Paviot have played two matches together in central defence this season. Against Grenoble (L2) during the seventh preparation match, on August 7, and in Beaucaire during the 6th round of the Coupe de France, on October 26. Two matches, two defeats (4-1 and 3-2), with seven goals conceded.

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