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On loan at Nîmes Olympique last season, Olivier Boscagli has only ”good memories” of his time in the Gard, confirmed by their promotion into L1. So before the kick-off of Week 13 (Saturday at 8pm), the defender took the time to analyse the opposition (13th in L1). Point by point. Without nostalgia in his voice, but with a clear pleasure. A pleasure that stems from great stories and the mark that they leave. 

Olivier, the Gym are currently in a good bit of form. What’s the morale like amongst the squad ahead of this trip to the Stade des Costières?

It’s good. Very good, even. We have just won 3 games and so we have started a good run. It’s what we needed to really get us going, now we need to continue. Even the Coupe de la Ligue is important, because in one or two matches, we could find ourselves in the quarters or semi finals. These three wins have done us some good after a mixed start to the season, where at times we have been good and at others, less so. Points bring confidence, now we need to win on the bounce. A fourth victory can boost us even more.  

On a personal level, how do you analyse the first third of the season?  

I have participated in roughly half of the matches (9 games, 7 starts). My objective is to play even more. I try everyday and every weekend to earn my place. I speak with the coach a lot, I know he has confidence in me. To play more, I need to be more consistent, focus on the good things and cut out my errors. I know my objectives and the work I need to put in, in order to achieve them.

This weekend, you will get a chance to see the Nîmois again, only a few months  after leaving them...

It will be nice to see everyone again, but I hope that we are going to beat them...

“In the 85th, they won’t hesitate to go with 8 or 9”

What do you take away from your time with them? 

Last season (2017/2018) was very useful for me. From the beginning, the goal was clear, I needed to earn game time in order to come back here in the best possible conditions. The mission was accomplished and I had a great year, both on a human and sporting level, with the promotion at the end of it. 

How would you describe their style?

Like last year, their game is based on attack: a 4-4-2 that transforms into a 4-2-4 in attack. It’s both a strength and a weakness, especially defensively. In L1, it’s a little bit hard to only defend with the four in defence and the central midfielders, you can sometimes have periods where you are hit on the counter, but they are managing that better and better. They attack fully, they defend fully, it’s thanks to this that they beat Marseille (3-1 victory) and held Paris (who finally won 4-2 despite a strong Nîmes performance). 

It’s their identity, they won’t change. We will need to be careful because I know that in the 85th minute, if they need to, they will attack in 8s or 9s, pushed on by their fans. It can be very dangerous from both points of view...

Their start to the season? 

It’s a club that has been promoted to L2, with a small budget. It could have been complicated, they didn’t buy many players.. but they recruited intelligently, like Bouanga or Diallo – even if the former doesn’t play anymore. All of the guys are committed, good players, they make a solid squad and move forward together. That’s why they are tough to beat. 

The individuals under the scanner 

Behind the squad hide some huge individual characters. After his interview, Olivier Boscagli presented Nîmes’ key men.

Savanier, the playmaker

“He has some of the best feet that I have ever seen. Each corner, each free-kick… He scored another last weekend. He is a great player, with a pretty hot temperament which earns him some cards at times, like this season with Mbappé. On the pitch, it’s a real plus and when he isn’t there, you see it straight away.” 

Ripart, the symbol

“He is a good forward and he played... at right back in the last match (4-0 victory over Dijon). Last year, he also helped out on the left. He can go anywhere, he is the joker of their team and one of the masters of their identity. When he plays the torero after a goal, for example, it’s not comedy. Ripart, Deprès, Briançon... when they can, they go to the corrida. They were born with this culture, grew up with it, have that love of the shirt and share it with the others.” 

Bozok, the tip

“He played a bit less at the start of the season, but he is a great player, like Alioui, who has only just come back. They were the best duo of L2, they get on very well, keep the ball, move quickly and find each other easily. Guillaume, who arrived this summer is pretty strong up-front.“

 

Thioub, the former Niçois 

“With Sada, we played together here in the CFA for one or two years, he didn’t manage to make the grade at Nice, he left for CA Bastia (28 games, 6 goals in the National league, during the 2015-16 season) before joining Nîmes. It’s great that he is here today. I don’t know if he would have been a starter, but he earned his place and has started the season well. For me, he is one of the best in his position. He has worked a lot, tactically and defensively. He defends well, and beyond that, he has attacking quality. The coach grants him a lot of confidence.”

Bernard Blaquart, the brains 

“He is a slightly withdrawn coach in training, he leaves a lot to his assistant. But he has the right words. When he speaks, he doesn’t have to shout or to speak for hours. He knows where to go. I saw him at Monaco, I get on really well with him, as well as with all the people I came across in Nîmes.”

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