Hungry for Victory, Zarzis' "Sang et Or" Will Try to Overcome Béja
The Press — Reacting "hot off the press" just after the end of the match against Espérance, coach Anis Boujelbène focused on the positive aspects of the game and only looked at the half-full glass: the good performance of his players and the tied score that made people forget (without completely erasing) the two consecutive defeats against ASS and ST.
"The goal was, of course, to seek a victory that would have made a sensation in Zarzis," he admitted before correcting himself: "But not losing was also part of our game plan. If we couldn't achieve the ideal (three points), we should at least get the minimum (a draw). That's why I spoke of a positive result, even if the victory would have galvanized us."
However, with hindsight, Anis Boujelbène took a look at the overall standings at the end of the 10th day and realized that the two lost points allowed ST and CA to widen the gap in the standings. "If we continue to waste points, we'll give up even more ground," he worries. "We no longer have the right to make mistakes and must transcend ourselves to accumulate the maximum number of points during the five days that separate us from the end of the first phase to place ourselves among the top four."
A Trap Game
Is today's match against Béja's Cigognes an opportunity to reconnect with success and bounce back? Nothing is less certain. Anis Boujelbène himself fears this confrontation that awaits his team at the Stade Boujemâa Khmiti and doesn't hide it. "If I focus on my opponent's 6-0 defeat against ASM in the 9th day, I tell myself that the deal is playable and that we have the means to win.
On the other hand, if I take into account their brilliant exploit in the 10th day in Sousse and their victory that will certainly give them wings, I tell myself: beware, it's not a done deal." The people of Marsa had a field day against Béja thanks to the counter-attacking game.
And it's precisely the tactic that suits this Zarzis team. No surprise, therefore, in the composition of the ESZ starting eleven compared to the one aligned against EST. The only modification will be to choose the one who will replace defender Jassem Belkilani if he is not recovered from his recent injury.
Also, the coach will opt for Amir Tajouri, as was the case last Wednesday, or will he launch Khalil Kassab for more recovering players in the middle of the field? Will he favor a real winger with this return to 3-5-2 to make it work well? Many questions arise, but what is certain is that, whatever option is adopted, Anis Boujelbène will not make the mistake of entering the heart of the matter immediately.
A recklessness that he paid dearly for against AS Soliman of Sami Gafsi and the Bardolais of Chokri Khatoui. And then, on the local bench, there is Hafedh Guitouni, who has managed to give a new soul and a new state of mind to a Béja team that intends to chain with a second victory to quickly start the exit operation from the magma. Caution will therefore be exercised in the Zarzis camp to negotiate a very important match with intelligence, without throwing themselves blindly into the wolf's mouth.
