Montpellier Hérault SC will have to be wary of this. This Friday evening (9 p.m.), at the opening of the 12th day of Ligue 1, the Paillade club welcomes the leader of the ranking, OGC Nice, carried (among others) by a Jérémie Boga (26 years old) in (very ) great shape. Rather discreet for his debut with the Aiglons, the Ivorian has found his bearings in recent weeks, to the point of becoming almost indispensable for his team.
This summer, in its quest for a rebound after a disappointing 2022-2023 financial year, the Gym did not hesitate to invest in the transfer market. He put €18 million on the table to secure the services of the (very) popular Jérémie Boga (Atalanta BC). Shy beginnings, punctuated by an injury. Then liberation. On September 22, at the Stade Louis-II, in the derby against AS Monaco (0-1), the Ivorian, who came on in the second half, gave his team the victory in added time on an individual feat…which left its mark. For the native of Marseille, this goal was a real “psychological trigger”, as he indicated at the end of October.
This achievement launched his season. Having become a starter, the former US Sassuolo player put in a string of good performances. Especially in big matches. Against Olympique de Marseille (1-0), on October 21, it was he who allowed Evann Guessand to shake the nets at the end of the match to snatch a precious victory in the race for the podium (or even better ). And last week, during the reception of Stade Rennais (2-0), he launched the Aiglons perfectly by opening the score just before the break. “He had a good game and I don’t know how many balls he brought in one-on-one inside the penalty area. And as I have always said, I know what kind of player he is, I know what he can bring us and I am happy with the goal he scored,” Francesco Farioli said about him after the match. A few days earlier, the Italian technician assured that his attacker had “very significant potential for goals and assists”. He seems not to have been mistaken.
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But if Jérémie Boga has become so important for the Gym, it is not only for his offensive contribution. “The other thing is working without the ball, paying attention, putting yourself in the right position, working on the side with Melvin (Bard, editor’s note) to close down all possible situations. If Jérémie succeeds in being this player, he will be very important,” Francesco Farioli said last week. His defensive efforts help make OGC Nice the best defense in the championship with only four goals conceded. Excuse me a little. And the attacker does not mind this defensive work. “Being very solid defensively is a source of motivation,” he said at the end of October.
This Friday evening, against the MHSC, the Nice dribbler will undoubtedly have to make even more effort than usual due to the (detrimental) absence of Youssouf Ndayishimiye in the midfield. He will also be expected in attack to unblock the situation against the Héraultais who will be keen to forget their big setback last week against Paris SG (3-0). Will it continue its good momentum? Response late Friday evening.