One After Another, the Bardalais Will Face Top‑Flight Clubs – ESS, ESZ, CSS and CA. The Risk Is Real
La Presse – With eight matchdays left in the season, Stade Tunisien (currently 3rd) is well‑positioned in the title race, boasting green‑light indicators and a recent big win that has boosted its offensive statistics.
Nevertheless, there is no doubt that the upcoming stretch will be decisive for the Bardalais, who will meet direct rivals such as Club Sportif Sfaxien and Club Africain, travel to Zarzis to face ES Zarzis, and, most importantly, host Étoile Sportive du Sahel this Sunday at the Hedi Ennaïfer stadium.
To succeed, coach Saïd Saïbi knows that it isn’t enough to “turn the lights on” in March; the preparation must start this weekend—physically, tactically, and mentally.
In plain terms, Stade Tunisien now has to embrace pressure, manage it, and cultivate self‑confidence. For the “Stadiens,” the past must illuminate the present, which means rewinding the tape to avoid repeating the mistakes of previous seasons that saw the club drop out of the title chase in the final stretch of the championship.
A Must‑Win Sunday
Despite holding a comfortable lead over today’s opponent, Étoile Sportive du Sahel, Stade Tunisien enters the match with an obligation to win.
A victory is absolutely essential for a club that openly declares its ambitions. Winning would deliver three simultaneous benefits:
- Temporarily push a rival out of the “accessit” (runner‑up) spots – a legitimate objective.
- Keep the team in contention for the title.
- Erase the sting of the recent derby loss to EST by securing a second league win, following the 4‑0 triumph at La Marsa against the newly promoted Marsois side.
From a Resounding North‑Suburb Success to a Tactical Reset
In the previous 4‑0 victory in the northern suburbs, the lineup differed from the one that faced La Marsa. Coach Saïbi quickly corrected the approach, and the impact was immediate.
Even though the team suffered an early setback—its back line was overwhelmed by Marsois rushes at the start—the game plan ultimately worked brilliantly.
Salubrious Adjustments
What made the difference against ASM appears to be smart management of playing time for certain players and a tactical shift that concentrated efforts on Stade’s core area: the midfield.
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Exit Amath Ndaw and promote Senegalese attacking midfielder Boubaker Camara alongside Burkinabé engine Salifou Tapsoba and Ivorian water‑carrier (play‑maker) Yusuf Touré. This reshuffle improved the cohesion of the middle third.
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The defensive framework was reinforced by starting Mounir Jelassi in central defense, replacing Skander Sghaier, and pairing him with Marouane Sahraoui to form a highly compact back‑line.
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In attack, besides Youssef Saafi, who returned to the right wing, dynamic Amine Haboubi began as a striker at the expense of Amadou Ndiaye, while versatile Wael Ouerghemi was launched straight into the left flank.
The bright light of the comprehensive win at La Marsa proved that the corrective measures were effective.
Looking Ahead: Dictate the Tempo
As the club prepares for a “cycle of all dangers,” Stade Tunisien must not only match the imposed rhythm but also set the tempo of the league.
The upcoming fixtures against top‑flight opponents will test the team’s resilience, tactical flexibility, and mental fortitude. If Saïbi’s adjustments hold, the Bardalais could solidify their push for the championship and cement their status among Tunisia’s elite clubs.
