Relaunched by their 3-2 victory in front of Niort, the Crocos want to continue and will aim at Guingamp, this Tuesday, January 31, a first success outside.
Winners 3-2 of Niort, the Crocos are no longer last. “It changes everything, the players are smiling, you feel that something happened on Saturday”, appreciates Frédéric Bompard. Nîmes has had a makeover but the facelift is far from over. Qualified but not yet physically operational, Guessouma Fofana, an experienced defensive midfielder recruited last week, quickly reframed things: “The victory was good for the heads but the situation remains complicated. We have no margin, we must not not slack off.”
“Be regular, don’t do a shot here, a shot there”
For the former midfielder of Amiens, Guingamp and Le Mans (102 L1 and L2 matches), staying in Ligue 2 requires being “solid, united and not giving up. Above all, you have to be regular, not to do a hit here, a hit there.
It is therefore necessary, traditional formulation, to succeed in chaining. Nîmes, which has not yet won two successes in a row, which remains the only team without success on the road (7 losses, 3 draws), does not succeed this season. His two positive series did not exceed the two matches (one win, one draw), it’s meager.
Guingamp remain on six games without a home win
Winners 3-2 from Niort, the Crocos are no longer last and have returned to two lengths from the first non-relegated. Doing a shot at Roudourou would be an ideal sequel. This may be the place or never.
At home where it remains on six matches without a win (4 losses, 2 draws), the Guingamp team does not shine, having already given up twenty-one points (18th record). The Nîmes will in turn use one condition: “Stop the bleeding! Nine goals conceded (30 in total, 17th defense, editor’s note) in the last three matches, that bothers me”, does not hide Frédéric Bompard who asks “more concentration, more vigilance”, to be “more defender at heart”, and who admits having “badly experienced” the tense end of the match against Niort: “I was upset, frustrated. You have to stop shaking , to become feverish and to stop playing each time we concede a goal. The fear of winning is specific to teams that are not doing well. If we are able to chain victories, afterwards, with the trust, you don’t even think anymore, all that is evacuated…”
By beating the Chamois, Nîmes got a makeover. To support and accentuate the process, Nîmes also recruited, which was essential according to Bompard.
Lopy, Fofana and Ambri have already signed
After defensive midfielders Joseph Lopy and Guessouma Fofana, the croco club formalized Monday the arrival of attacking midfielder Steve Ambri (25 years old, 1.83 m, 75 kg), who has also signed up until the end of season. With Sochaux and Valenciennes, Ambri played 116 L2 matches (7 goals). Last summer, he joined FC Sheriff Tiraspol (Moldova). Little used (10 appearances), he terminated his contract to join Nîmes where he will wear number 9.
“He will bring percussion with the ball, speed, power, explains Bompard. He is left-handed, too. Sadzoute out, only Delpech remained as a left-hander, which was little for the balance of the effective.”
Lys Mousset and Sanasi Sy will follow
Three players have already signed, two more will follow. N0 will be loaned Lys Mousset by Bochum (German D1) where he has not played this season. This 26-year-old striker, who played his first pro match against… Nîmes, came to light in Le Havre in 2015-2016 by scoring 14 goals before leaving for England where he played five seasons (Bournemouth and Sheffield United). Last year, he struggled at Salernitana (6 appearances in Serie A) before joining Bochum.
Finally, the croco club, which will have difficulty finalizing the arrival of a central defender (Auxerrois Coeff will not come), will buy from Salernitana, for less than €400,000, the left side Sanasi Sy, 23 years, who will sign a two and a half year contract.
Guingamp – Nîmes, the teams
NIMES Frédéric Bompard made just one change to the winning group from Niort. Hit in the right hamstring in front of Metz (18th day), Labonne made his comeback to the detriment of the young Nasraoui. At kick-off, the croco technician could trust the same eleven players as against the Chamois.
Possible team: Maraval – Guessoum, Durand de Gevigney, Djiga, Burner – Lopy, N’Guessan – Said, Pagis, Benezet – Chokounte (cap.).
Replacements: Dias (g.), Labonne, Vargas, Delpech, Thomasen, Boudache, Mo. Cone.
Absent: Poulain, Sadzoute, Doucouré (injured), Fofana (rehabilitation), Ambri (not qualified), Nazih (choice).
GUINGAMP Stéphane Dumont should renew the 3-4-3 set up in Rodez. It should also renew the eleven victorious 1-0, with one exception, perhaps, Quemper can take the place of Gaudin.
The possible team: Basilio – Eboa Eboa, Roux, Mbe Soh – Luvambo, Louiserre, Muyumba, Quemper or Gaudin – El Ouazanni, William, Livolant (cap.).
Replacements: Youfeigane (g), Riou, Gaudin or Quemper, Diarra, Tchimbembe, Barthelmé, Courtet.
