For the "Sang Or", the Essential is to Keep the Winning Dynamic by Returning with Three Points from Zarzis
The Press — With a tight schedule and its consequences already being felt on the players' health, with an infirmary that is struggling to empty, the technical staff is called upon to maintain the pace while ensuring the best possible management of the squad. In this sense, Maher Kanzari's objective for this afternoon's trip to Zarzis is to return with the three points. As a wise man, Kanzari knows that only victory counts. Expected to be scrutinized by critics who are not letting up on social media, the slightest misstep will put pressure on Hamdi Meddeb to part ways with his coach.
Meriah, Sasse, and Belaïli Back in Training
For the last away game in Ouagadougou, the technical staff was deprived of the services of five key players due to injury, namely Yassine Meriah, Yan Sasse, Youssef Belaïli, Mohamed Amine Tougaï, and Mohamed Ben Ali. Monday's training session saw the return of three key players, recovered from injury, namely Yassine Meriah, Youssef Belaïli, and Yan Sasse. Belaïli and Sasse did run, but their return to competition is not for today. Maher Kanzari does not want to take any unnecessary risks for their health (the same case for Mohamed Amine Ben Hmida, who traveled to Ouagadougou but was not used). Note that Belaïli, Sasse, and Tougaï are not part of the list of 26 players called up for this afternoon's match against ESZ, while Meriah, Ben Ali, and Ben Hmida are.
Mostly the Same Lineup
This afternoon, it is possible that Meriah and Ben Hmida will regain their places, respectively in the central axis and on the left flank of the defense. Meriah's return will allow Guenichi to move up a notch to support Jebali and Tka in midfield, which will gain a place for a foreign player. That being said, Boualia, Danho, and Konaté are likely to retain their starting positions against ESZ this afternoon. This afternoon, the starting eleven should not undergo significant changes. Maher Kanzari will align the same or almost the same players, with two or three changes at most. The "Sang et Or" coach will take into account two essential criteria in his choices: the real disposition of the returning players and the playing time to be allocated, considering the return match of the second preliminary round of the Champions League, this Sunday against Rahimo FC. Note that the "Sang et Or" delegation traveled to Zarzis via the island of Djerba, which they reached by plane yesterday.
