Tops
Retsos asserts itself for its premiere
Strolled between three positions in less than an hour, the Greek defender confirmed his status as a versatile player. Used at first as an axial in a three-way defense, he then evolved as a left side when Claude Puel moved back to four following the Nice break, before returning to the axis with Moukoudi after the locker room. Each time, Retsos showed technical accuracy in his transmissions and in his ball handling, while delivering a few well-felt tackles. To confirm.
Hamouma technical leader and example
Wearing the armband at the kickoff, the Saint-Etienne striker, in good shape at the start of the season, has never given up despite a failed start to the game from the Greens. Weakened by Krasso’s lack of movement in the first period, he was able to take advantage of the Nice spaces throughout the meeting. Passeur on the reduction of the gap offered to Aouchiche, he should have obtained a penalty on the intervention of Dante against him (66th).
Gourna-Douath is gaining momentum
Arrived on tiptoe in this squad at the start of the season, the young Saint-Etienne midfielder was scavenging for a few minutes until then. Came into play several times, this time he asserted himself at the heart of the game instead of a borrowed Youssouf. Very clean in his raises, he was able to carry the ball to break lines or combine with his teammates on a touch, and thus energize the Stéphanois midfield.
Flops
Mill in the hard
Riding on the positive dynamics of his team at the start of the season, the new holder in the Stéphane cage stood out with his reflex stops, his kicking play and his well-felt reminders. Since then, this form has faded and the keeper suffers the consequences. Already jostled in Nantes, he was not exempt from all reproach against Rennes, just like in Lens. This Sunday, his overly tender aerial exit opened the scoring for Lees-Melou, while he was deceived by Sow’s unfortunate deflection on the second goal. If there is a double stop against Gouiri and Lees-Melou showing that he does not abdicate, his intervention with the fists on a back pass on the ground from Youssouf questions.
Youssouf struggles to find his rhythm
Half-hearted since his return to competition, the former Bordelais fails to assert his kicking game. Abusing long balls to find teammates too rarely distinguished in the first act, Zaydou Youssouf was mainly surprised by his lack of precision in his game of short passes. Committing losses of full axis ball, he could have given two additional goals to the Azureans if the latter had played the shots better.
Krasso, the step is still high
For his first tenure in Ligue 1, the ex-Spinalien was expected. Unfortunately for him, he never knew how to answer them. Transparent, he went through the first act without realizing any notable feat of arms. Lacking sharpness in his calls, he was almost never requested by his teammates, while his pressing had no impact on the opposing raises. The gap with the National 2 is still difficult to assimilate for him.