Unrecognizable Performance: US Monastirienne Faces Uphill Battle Against JS Kabylie
The US Monastirienne team delivered a lackluster performance against JS Kabylie at the Taïeb Mhiri stadium, and only a miracle could help them turn the tide in Algeria during the return match.
A Daunting Task Ahead
With a three-goal deficit, the task is almost impossible for the Blues, who are in a difficult position before the return match in Algeria. In retrospect, despite the difficulty of swallowing the pill, there is not much to be positive about in this US Monastirienne outing against a conquering and sharp JS Kabylie team in Sfax.
A Warning Unheeded
The Blues had been warned, given the importance of qualifying for the Champions League group stage for the fans and the entire Ribat microcosm. However, on the Taïeb Mhiri stadium pitch, Montassar Louhichi's team only created illusions in the first half with Harzi and Ben Youssef before leaving the field open to Merghem, Akhrib, and Sarr after the break.
A Forty-Minute Ordeal
The US Monastirienne ordeal lasted forty minutes, with the Canaries pushing hard and the Blues tired, breathless, and exhausted. Overall, the performance was extremely laborious, with a total failure of the USM. In Sfax, none of the three US Monastirienne stars shone. Ben Youssef was particularly transparent in the attack, Amri was disconnected and off-topic, and Harzi was mostly "off the mark."
Outclassed and Unconcerned
The JSK was three classes above, deserving of their triumph, even if the debates were somewhat balanced in the first half. Previously, the first half had been soporific, with only a few scoring opportunities, and then the teammates of Fabrice Zeguei fell into the expected trap against a more physically seasoned team.
A Nightmare in Sfax
In the end, the USM experienced a nightmare in Sfax. A disastrous afternoon that says a lot about the team's real level as the second Tunisian representative in the Champions League. Clumsy and unconcerned, the Blues were punished on Tunisian soil. Even if there is still a return match to be played, a confrontation where the US Monastirienne team will have to show a different face, it will be necessary to question themselves now because the team was simply not at the level of this competition last Friday, at this stage of the tournament...
