ESZ Still Reeling from Loss to ASS, Seeks New Exploit Away from Home to Bounce Back
La Presse — The heavy defeat of ESZ against ASS on the 8th day has left coach Anis Boujelbène reeling. A second consecutive loss at home will force him to revise his choices.
After the misstep against USM in Zarzis (0-1), Anis Boujelbène was able to redeem himself quickly with a brilliant 4-1 success in Kairouan. It's with the same fierce desire for rehabilitation that he heads to Tunis to challenge ST at Bardo, with the goal of defeating them on their own turf and reclaiming the leader's seat, even if only provisionally.
The exceptional state of mind, the cohesion of the group, and the unshakeable character demonstrated by the Zarzis players on the field were not enough to ensure a flawless run at home. No less than eight points have been wasted on the pitch of the Stade Abdesslem Kazouz. The beautiful successes away from home against CSS, CA, and JSK have been tarnished by this waste.
Changes are Necessary
In the lost match against the Capbonais de Soliman, two notable absences disrupted the entire system. Hamza Ghanemi was unable to make up for Seifeddine Charfi in goal, and Kouni Khalfa left a big void in midfield. Anis Boujelbène also did not make the right choices for the three-man defense.
Ghassen Mahersi did not meet expectations as the third axial player, having always played as a lateral. Makram Sghaier is therefore the most likely to take back his position as the third pillar of the defensive axis with Lamjed Rjili and Pape Mamour Diallo. Due to a lack of alternative solutions, Jassem Belkilani will be maintained on the left flank despite his rough and ineffective work on the offensive level.
The midfield also needs a new concept. If Ousmane Combassa is undisputed as the cornerstone and engine of the relaunch, Moatez Chouchen may be benched to make way for a more offensive midfielder. Achraf Ben Dhiaf, Amir Tajouri, and Khalil Kassab are all in contention for the position of link player and support.
The front line will, unless there's a surprise, consist of the trio Innocent Nshuti, Stanley Ogoh, and Noemen Rahmani. Unless Boujelbène decides to readjust his scheme with the option for a more balanced 4-4-2 with a stronger midfield to counter the formidable machine of the Bardolais. A point would be a lesser evil for Boujelbène and his team, but three points would be welcome against a direct competitor for a place on the podium.
