PostedJanuary 29, 2021 at 9:00 PM
It was hard, too hard. But the Neuchâtelois had the skin of Chiasso (2-0) in the shock of the bottom of the table. Phew!
- by
- Florian Vaney, Neuchâtel
Freddy Mveng and Xamax managed to get the better of Andrea Maccoppi and Chiasso.
freshfocus
Andrea Binotto had hinted during the week that his team was still lacking in automation, especially in its connections with a Raphaël Nuzzolo difficult to find and operate. One way to prepare the ground before the small earthquake that was going to occur on Friday when the team rosters were released? Perhaps. Regardless, the series goalscorer, who is having a delicate season, only appeared on the list of substitutes.
For more than two years «Nuzz» had not started a championship meeting on the bench. If the idea was to produce an electric shock, it is not in the first period that its effects will be felt. The two or three interesting situations that Neuchâtel Xamax was able to create did not mask the unfortunate observation: Alexandros Safarikas, the Greek goalkeeper from Chiasso, did not have to perform a single parade.
Worrisome? It has been written enough that the Xamaxiens did not belong to this Challenge League standings to realize that 45 minutes like this against the Red Lantern are, yes. Andrea Binotto exchanged a lot with his players, Jason Mbock’s ears whistled as rarely, as if to better realize that NE Xamax is still looking for himself, always. The absences of Igor Djuric, Mike Gomes then quickly Migjen Basha (touchdown, the half had to leave the field in the 21st) had the advantage of allowing the return of Yves Kaiser and Endrit Morina in the red and black lineup. Two of the youngsters who have the qualities to certainly bring a lot to this team in the long term.
The fact remains that before thinking about the future, it is necessary to get out of the swelling. The little miracle of the 52nd is one of the events that should contribute to the trigger in Neuchâtel. We can sum it up in one sentence: a long release from Laurent Walthert, panic in the Ticino defense (already expelled on the first leg, the Genevan Mathis Magnin is rather pale on his intervention) and a furious conclusion from Louis Mafouta after a sprint that left everyone on the spot full axis.In a meeting that was not a piece of fun for a center forward, we liked the performance of the Central African, who did not hide and who has found a just reward in his goal. For the rest, it is obvious that Xamax will have to produce infinitely more if it intends to get out of this unworthy struggle for maintenance fast enough. Even if for the moment, in the current context, we want the style to come after the result.
A result that Maxime Domginuez managed to embellish somewhat at the end of the match. Juan Manuel Parapar was jostled in the box, Mr. Nico Gianforte indicated the penalty spot and the former Lausanne player transformed the shipment very well (2-0, 80th). Xamax had plunged in the fall after his mortifying defeat at Riva IA in Chiasso. What if he had just exorcised his curse?
Neuchâtel Xamax – Chiasso 2-0 (0-0)
La Maladière, behind closed doors. Referee: Nico Gianforte.
Buts: 52e Mafouta 1-0; 80e Dominguez, pen. 2-0.Xamax: Walthert; Ouattara, Bangura, Kaiser, Kempter; Basha (21st Morina, 70th Morgado); Dominguez, Corbaz, Mveng, Mbock (46th Parapar); Mafouta (77th Nuzzolo). Coach: Andrea Binotto.
Chiasso: Safarikas; Affolter, Hajrizi, Magnin; Dixon, Maccoppi, Strechie, Hadzi; Pasquarelli (59th Bahloul), Manicone (66th Malinowski), Cortesi (77th Sifneos). Coach: Baldo Raineri.
Warnings: Affolter (44th, hard game), Dixon (56th, claims), Morina (57th, hard game), Hadzi (70th, hard game), Hajrizi (80th, hard game), Strechie (85th, hard game).
