For their first match of the year, the Crocos welcome Étoile Fréjus / Saint-Raphaël (N2) in a friendly, Saturday January 4 behind closed doors. They hope to find success as quickly as possible.
Before Christmas, we left the Crocos who were coughing, figuratively speaking, after two disappointing draws (1-1 at Paris Atletico and 0-0 against Le Mans) and three defeats, series in progress. After New Year’s Day, we found Crocs coughing, literally.
At the end of training this Friday at the Bastide, a few “coughed up their lungs”. Labonne, Lemaangr, Marcel… on the pitch, many of Nîmes were not in their best form. ““Douk” (ansy) is having trouble coming back, Mathis (Picouleau) is not far from 40 fever, Salim (Akkal) spent his vacation in bed, adds their trainer Adil Hermach, also convalescing. We are not spared but we interact with a lot of other National clubs, and there are a lot of sick people everywhere…”
Before receiving the leader Nancy, a rehearsal, but not general
As a result, today’s friendly match against Fréjus-Saint-Raphaël, which was to serve as a dress rehearsal before the reception of leader Nancy (Friday 10 at 7:30 p.m.), will be a rehearsal, but not general.
Before the last preparation meeting, at the end of November, against Saint-Priest (7th in group A of National 2), coach Hermach had asked his players “to score as many goals as possible and not concede any”. Wish half granted with a small 1-0 success signed Akkal. This time, facing the 4th of the same group which aspires to return to the third national level, given the state of the Gard troops, it will be a question of “find playing time before the competition resumes, nothing else, quite simply. The score will be anecdotal”.
The staff will nevertheless be very attentive to the offensive behavior of their team, which enters the second part of the season with the dunce cap of the worst attack in the championship.
Adil Hermach: “They know that they were singled out by us, by you, by their families…”
“There are not many people at the Bastide, and I can count the people who watch the sessions: you are there, and you see that when we do work in front of goal, the guys show good will. I’m happy with the state of mind that the players are showing. They know that it didn’t come down to much. (in recent months)they know that they have been singled out by us, by you, by their families, by their friends, by everyone, develops Adil Hermach. The problem with Nîmes Olympique, we know where it is. I didn’t go to see a marabout to mark more, I don’t have any charms. We’re going to do a little more, develop the finishing aspect in other players… we’re looking for scorers. I hope it turns out.”
Score more with fewer attackers
If things work out, it will be without Ali Abdallah (returned to Strasbourg), Badu nor Osei, three attackers who have just left the Nîmes ship. No replacement planned at the moment. “You know the current context, I’m not counting on anyone else for the moment”confirms the coach.
Except Ahmedine Daoudi (24 years old on January 8), who plays in reserve after going through professionalism in Algeria (Belouizdad, D1) and through Beaucaire. “I knew him there, remembers the technician. He’s a boy full of qualities, surely the most gifted I’ve seen in Beaucaire, but he has his ups and downs. He did the cover with us, and he has to go get his thing.“
In 2025, almost all Crocodiles will have to go “get their thing”. And find their lucky star, against EFC Fréjus-Saint-Raphaël or another, with or without a marabout.
Behind the scenes of the Crocos
The team. Subject to current illnesses, NO could start with the following eleven: Simon – Labonne, Iafrate, Paviot, Beneddine – Akkal, Bouaoune, Mexico, Marcel – Camara, Abdeldjelil. Kick-off at 2:30 p.m. at Antonins, behind closed doors.
The absent ones. Iafrate-Paviot in hinge? Yes, in order to prepare for Nancy’s reception, for which Mendy and Diouf will be suspended. Klitim, 19, reserve defender, at the club since the U14s, trained with the pros. Furthermore, Cozzella, Picouleau, Doukansy and Amara are out this afternoon.
The diploma. Two options are available to Adil Hermach at the start of 2025: submit a VAE (validation of acquired experience) file at the end of January, and/or apply for the next training session at the BEPF (professional Football coach certificate). ), in March. As a reminder, NO pays a fine of €7,500 per match for its non-qualified coach.
