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Over the months, Hicham Boudaoui has become a major asset in the midfield of OGC Nice. The Algerian should still be hard at work on Thursday to help OGC Nice qualify for the quarter-finals of the Europa League Conference against Sheriff Tiraspol.
Last French representative in a European Cup, OGC Nice is on a favorable waiver, Thursday, March 16, when receiving Sheriff Tiraspol, beaten 1-0 in the first leg in Moldova. To compost his ticket for the quarter-finals of the C4, he can count on his Algerian midfielder Hicham Boudaoui
When he landed on the Côte d’Azur in August 2019, at the age of 19 from the Algerian club of Paradou, the native of Béchar was still a kid. “I became a man in Nice,” he says honestly. “In four years, I have grown a lot in my game and in my head.”
Today, he is one of the main strengths of the team set up by Didier Digard. Even discreet, he asserts himself as a boss in the field.
“Yes, I talk more. With age and in my position as a sentry, I give orders. In the match, I feel that people are listening to me. Well, in life, it’s different”, admits- he in a broad smile.
????Youssouf I appreciate it
has never seen a player like Boudaoui. The entire Nice workforce is unanimous on the Bechar diamond! pic.twitter.com/O2FDa3KFgc— The Green Wave ⭐️????????⭐️ (@la_vagueverte) March 2, 2023
He, whom the club’s assistant coach, Frédéric Gioria, readily compares to Jean Tigana, is currently bluffing everyone. Starting with its partners. “Already in Turkey, I followed him and I loved his game, explains winter rookie Youssouf Ndayshimiye. He is fantastic. I have never seen a player like him.”
“His teammates are marked by his consistency, adds Digard. He loses very few balls, positions himself well, gets out of complicated situations. It sometimes feels like he is flying. There are people around him. And Suddenly, there is no one left!
Boudaoui finally continues the matches
Launched by Patrick Vieira during the 2019-2020 season where he played 9 L1 matches, Boudaoui, who has 80 to date, has long suffered from his frail physique. And repeated injuries. This is no longer the case. “I feel good physically and ready to chain the matches”, assures the one who recently extended in Nice, where he feels “very happy”, until June 2027.
Repositioned central midfielder during the interim of Adrian Ursea, of which Digard was the assistant, between January and June 2021, he had again been expatriated on the right under Christophe Galtier last season.
“Even if I progressed, I did not feel good when I played on the right, he explains. Central midfielder is my real position. I feel good and can give more for the team.”
Tireless worker, very clean in his ball output, the Algerian international (10 selections) also knows “by his conduct, to break lines”, according to Digard.
“What I like is his ability to perform every weekend, continues the young coach. Many are strong over a period, he is over time. He impresses us. find limits to him. For me, Hicham is essential.”
But Boudaoui necessarily intends to make further progress. He wants to become “more decisive”. He who has only one assist this season intends to score more, to be fairer in the last pass. “He has the capabilities, I’m sure he will achieve it,” says Digard, essential in the transformation of the environment.
“He comes to talk to me and tells me to play as I know, concludes Boudaoui about his coach. He gives me confidence. And I need to be confident. That way, I can give everything and play calm.”
With AFP
