Hamza Rafia: EST Regains Confidence (Photo: Mokhtar H'MIMA)
The "Sang et Or" had to fight hard before they could unlock the situation thanks to the penalty obtained by Diarra. Without that penalty, they wouldn't have found the back of the net, even if they replayed the match.
The Press - "I'm coming from the locker room. The players were smiling. This victory has finally set them free. In top-level football, we only exist through victories. We had to take these three points at all costs, which gives us the right to dispute the derby with a clear ambition: to play for the title," declared Patrice Beaumelle - after the final whistle of the match against JSO - which saw his team win a hard-fought victory against an opponent who refused to play, retreating most of the time to their own half of the field.
With 8 to 9 players retreating to the penalty area, it was difficult for Florian Danho and his teammates to find a way through. To unlock the solid and stubborn defense of El Omrane, they had to show ingenuity. However, the power of Danho, as explosive as he is, was not enough, even though he heavily pressured the opposing defense throughout the hour of play he participated in. He created danger more than once and even took the time to control the ball and wrap his shot, but each time, the finish eluded him.
In short, Florian Danho did everything except put the ball in the net. It is essential that he works more on the final touch and takes more care with his shot.
Diarra, the man who brings danger
Amanallah Hmidhi is undoubtedly a young player with promise, but he is not yet ready to play in high-stakes matches. If the coach "Sang et Or" wants to give him playing time, it should not be done when the team is called upon to take the initiative. Deployed on the right flank, he brought no solution, no opening. Abdramane Konaté brought nothing either on the opposite side. Something that Patrice Beaumelle understood, which led him to replace Konaté and Hmidhi with Jabri and Diarra at halftime.
And to bring more impact, Diakité took Danho's place during the last 30 minutes of play. The result was not long in coming. The trio Jabri-Diakité-Diarra brought a plus-value to the offensive animation, even if the shots missed the frame. Diarra, pushed in the penalty area, provoked a penalty, which was converted by the returning Yassine Meriah.
Return to good timing
Entering the game at the 57', Yassine Meriah, who signed a winning return, played for a little over a half-hour, which allowed him to be ready for the derby. A return to good timing, considering that Hamza Jelassi, expelled against JSO, will miss the derby. For Patrice Beaumelle and his players, the victory obtained against JSO is a breath of fresh air. An essential victory to put an end to the mental block that prevented the players from winning in the three championship outings that followed the elimination in the Champions League. For Espérance, as for its neighbor club, the derby will be decisive in awarding the title. The battle promises to be fierce, this Sunday.
