[Billet] Nikola Maksimović, loading in progress

We thought Nikola Maksimović was already on his feet. After an interesting first in Le Havre followed by a full match against Brest, the Serbian international had a more than average match in Forez.

Did the repercussions of these last weeks of work after a long inactivity hit Nikola Maksimović on Saturday evening in Saint-Étienne? This is the most plausible hypothesis that comes to mind because, after two successful outings, the former Neapolitan was very lukewarm in the Cauldron Stéphanois. After an international break during which he was able to perfect his physical condition and his automatisms, in particular with Modibo Sagnan, not called up with Mali, the latest pailladine recruit was somewhat disappointing.

Nothing infamous of course, but he did not show great confidence in the placement, which was his strength until now. We know it is slow, and this is not prohibitive when it is compensated for. This was hardly the case on Saturday, where for example he lacked promptness after Rabby Nzingoula's missed clearance leading to the opening of the Saint-Etienne score.

A new week of work awaits him now, with the arrival of LOSC in his sights. If he did not glean any points in Saint-Étienne, he remains an element validated by Jean-Louis Gasset, who seems to want to rely on the experience of a player who has experienced numerous battles in his career, from the Champions League to the maintenance races. Will JLG be tempted to relaunch, against a big team in the championship, a 5-man defense? This was the case in Le Havre, notably to protect Maksimovic and the Pailladins only lost to a penalty stupidly conceded in the last quarter of an hour of the game.