Étoile vs La Marsa match preview

By: Houssem | January 13th, 2009

A still diminished ESS squad travelled today to Gammart ahead of tomorrow’s 2:30 pm clash with AS La Marsa. With goalkeeper Mathlouthi and striker Bukhari still injured and expected to make their return against Gafsa, the following squad will attempt a second consecutive league win :

Goalkeepers : Mohamed Bouderbala, Abderrahmane Baâboura

Defenders : Souheil Ben Radhia, Mehdi Meriah, Aymen Abdennour, Ammar Jemal, Radhouene Felhi, Majdi Toniche

Midfielders : Wadii Ben Hadj Frej, Mohamed Ali Nafkha, Hamdi Mabrouki, Mohamed Sacko, Afouène Gharbi, Belgacem Toniche, Tembo Fwayo, Mossâab Sassi

Forwards : Slim Jedaied, Emeka Opara, Mehdi Ben Dhifallah

That’s 19 players who will hopefully repeat the 2-0 victory we had against La Marsa earlier in the season. My starting line-up would be : Bouderbala / Ben Radhia – Jemal – Felhi – Abdennour / Nafkha – Sacko – Tembo – Sassi / Emeka – Ben Dhifallah. I don’t believe Mabrouki will make his first squad debut, since the pressure on the team is quite big even after the (laborious) win against Bizerte, and you don’t want a newcomer under that kind of pressure. The good thing is that he’s getting accustomed to the group so quickly. I can’t wait for Everson to make his debut too, and see him do some magic on free kicks (Nafkha will then stop pretending he can take them).

I believe a few words about Gernot Rohr might be in order. He used to be a very good player and spent 3 seasons at Bayern Munich with the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Sepp Maier, Uli Hoeneß, Gerd Müller and Paul Breitner. More noticeable : he spent 12 years at Girondins de Bordeaux with Giresse, Tigana, Lacombe, Trésor, Battiston , was elected defender of the year twice and won 3 championships and 3 cups. The peak of his career as a manager was certainly the 1996 UEFA Cup Final which Bordeaux lost against Rohr’s former club Bayern Munich. But since then, he didn’t have any real success, and managed second rate teams in France and Switzerland. Tunisia and Africa in general are a new challenge for him, and he’ll certainly need time to adapt, but he’ll have to show some progress real quick if he doesn’t want to get sacked at the end of the season (yeah I know, he’s on a contract until 2010, but hey … ). From the interviews I have watched, I couldn’t see much enthusiasm or a strong personality. He seemed to be satisfied with every performance so far and didn’t really bother to explain the few disappointing results we had lately. But again, like every new coach, he needs time, so I’ll leave the judging for later. He can count on a few motivated new signings and young players, and he’ll have to know how to deal with the players who won everything with l’Étoile and want to move on. A tough task, which why I wish him good luck.

Last but not least : a new transfer has been made official. Bassem Boulâabi has joined ESS from Stade Tunisien on a 4 year contract. I’m eager to see him and all the others in action.