Symbol of the lack of realism of RC Lens in recent weeks, M'Bala Nzola is still struggling to fully convince despite a certain contribution to the game. After receiving OM, Daniel Riolo paid the Lensois striker during “After Foot”. Right?
M'Bala Nzola in Daniel Riolo's viewfinder
Were these sham beginnings? Scorer in Rennes (1-1) at the end of September after coming into play, M'Bala Love did it again in Strasbourg (2-2) two weeks later. Since then, the Angolan striker has remained silent despite some opportunities. Particularly in Marseille. “ If Émile Zola (M'Bala Nzola, editor's note) has his feet just right, OM is trailing at half-timesaid Daniel Riolo this Monday evening in “L’After Foot”. His feet are completely square, poor guy. They're not even feet. He played in moon boots, it was terrible. »
Justified taunts? According to the figures, the most objective element to judge, M'Bala Nzola obtained “only” 0,24xG (expected goalsor “expected goals”) against OM and no big chances. In other words, there’s no reason to make a big deal out of it. Since Strasbourg, the Angolan missed two clear chances and did not score despite 0.58xG. Here too, the results can obviously be improved without being cataclysmic.
The fact remains that, in the visual impression, the Lensois striker illustrates the double offensive face of the Sang et Or: a player capable of creating clear chances through his knowledge of movement, his handover play and his weight on opposing defenses, but who sorely lacks technical finesse, composure – and confidence too, perhaps – in the opposing area.
Photo credits: Baptiste Fernandez/Icon Sport
