Nimes leaders in pool C of National 2, after their 2-0 win on Saturday against Goal FC, have everything they need to go all the way.
The Crocos are in control. For seven matchdays, they have been on fire (19 points out of possible 21) that no one can keep up with.
On the same period, Cannes and Rumilly have earned five and ten fewer points!
So, here is Nimes, who had only been at the top once, at the end of the 8th matchday with a 3-0 win against Saint-Priest, the sole leader of pool C.
The Crocos took the lead in the Championship after their thirteenth victory of the season, the seventh with a 2-0 scoreline.
“We showed that we have character and that we are a top-tier team,” rejoiced Othmane Benhamza. “We were not in danger, we did not concede any chances, our goalkeeper had no saves to make.”
Mickael Gas: “Being good is first and foremost about winning!”
Nimes won, Nimes were good. Facing a Rhône team that played well but was too imprecise in the final touch, the Crocos, as appreciated by Benhamza, knew how to “strike and score at their strong points” in their less controlled half, the first. “That’s why we are at the top.”
Once ahead, Nimes practically had to manage. “When we score first (12 wins, 1 loss), we know it will be difficult for our opponent to equalize,” emphasizes Vincent Pirès, who believes that his team has been “almost better when they don’t have the ball” recently.
“Everyone is focused on the defensive aspect,” continues Mickael Gas. “Playing well is not just about collective control, ball possession, it is also about defending well.”
Echoes of the Crocos:
– Goalscorers: Defender Evrald Loubacky scored his first goal of the season on Saturday, the seventh of his senior career. He is the thirteenth Croco to find the net since the start of the Championship.
– 2-0: Nimes has won seven matches with a 2-0 scoreline, five at home and two away. At home, both goals were scored in the first half; away, they were in the second half.
– Reserves: Not selected to face Goal FC, Sarr, Khalid, and Alberto played on Saturday evening for the Nimes reserves, who won 1-0 against Saint-Clément-Montferrier. An important success for maintaining their position.
Sharp in both areas
“Behind, Nimes is very, very strong,” compliments Pierre-Marie Thimonier, coach of Goal FC. The Crocos, who have had five clean sheets in a row, a record for the season, have overtaken Saint-Maur Lusitanos for the top spot in the best defense ranking (15 goals conceded).
“I did not see a big difference between the two teams tonight (Saturday), but I saw a clinical, ‘killer’ and sharp Nimes in both areas,” continues the Rhône technician, predicting “a close battle between Nimes and Cannes, with Cannes having more offensive firepower.”
Staying the course without changing anything
Going all the way is on the minds of the Crocos, but they don’t speak about it aloud. “We shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves,” insists Pirès. “We did look at the standings when going back to the locker room, but since the loss against Rumilly, we only focus on the upcoming match, and it has worked well for us,” recalls Benhamza.
“We will not change our approach or way of doing things. We will maintain our seriousness and our playing principles,” concludes Mickael Gas. “Because when you win, you can ease off a bit, we will focus on raising the level in training to be even more efficient in matches.”
The Crocos do not want to let go of the lead.
