Four Winless Matches Drag USBG Back Into the Relegation Fight
Karim Delhoum and his squad are under pressure to end this black streak.
La Presse – The fire may not yet be out at home, but recent statistics are far from reassuring. Two goalless draws against ESS and ESZ, followed by defeats to CAB and CSS, have reset USBG to square one. Ghazi Abderrazak’s partners assumed survival was guaranteed and rested on their laurels – a mistake that now costs them dearly. After dropping ten points in the last four fixtures, USBG now leads the 14th‑place safety line (the relegation threshold to Ligue 2) by only six points.
A Worrying Trend
Defensively, the team has been solid, conceding just two goals in four games. Offensively, however, they have failed to find the net altogether. This inability to score is the main concern for head coach Karim Delhoum. Voices from the bench and the stands are already criticizing the winter‑transfer window decision to let go of opportunistic striker Iyed Hadj Khlifa, who repeatedly provided the solution when breaking down stubborn defenses.
The regrets run deep: replacements Nassim Chachia and Lamin Touray, signed to fill Khlifa’s void, have yet to form a productive attacking partnership. Injuries to Borhane Hakimi and the current dip in form of Ayoub Mcharek have further limited Delhoum’s options up front, explaining USBG’s lack of efficiency inside the opponent’s box. Neither Abdelouahed Bakkhouche nor Aness Bouatay have proven they can step up from the bench to become regular starters.
In today’s clash against JSO, hopes of seeing USBG launch a counter‑attack and secure three points are slim. Even the defense, which will have to shoulder the match’s outcome to at least salvage a draw, will be weakened by the absence of two key pillars – Mohamed Lahbib Yeken and Iyed Touis – who are still recovering from injury.
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Keywords: USBG, Karim Delhoum, relegation battle, Ligue 2, winter transfer window, striker Iyed Hadj Khlifa, injuries, defensive solidity, offensive drought.
