Aiglon of the Match

Benitez in-form

A new name appears on the list of those players having been named Aiglon of the Match: Walter Benitez. In Caen, the Gym keeper did nearly everything well, to the point that he won the vote of the supporters (43% of the votes). The Argentine rock beat Wesley Sneijder (33%) and Pierre Lees-Melou (10%) to the honour.

His mood, when leaving the pitch, said a lot about the morale of the side. Summed up by the disappointed and frustrated look on his face. Benitez pulled out all of the stops for 90 minutes, clearing away anything that was put near him. A half-volley from Ivan Santini in the box, during the first half. The penalty from the Croat in the middle of the second period, which he managed with flair and made an important save. 

Reassuring, the former Quilmes man was often responsible for making the difference, coming out to claim the ball in the air and playing as simply as possible with his feet, on a dangerous surface. A slightly rash decision was his only real error in a tough match. 

Unfortunately, he was unable to do anything in the dying stages of additional  time, when Rodelin buried a volley and took two points from the Aiglons. The cause of that look on his face... 

The first outfield player to get your votes was Wesley Sneijder. And the impression left by the Dutch number 10 when watching live, was confirmed when looking back over the images. After taking 10 minutes to get into the game, the most capped player in Dutch history quite simply went to town. Right foot, left foot, short, long, he used his 91 touches (highest of a Nice player) with finesse and efficiency. Being omnipresent between the lines, at the tip, and always accurate with his distribution,

Finally, Pierre Les-Melou concludes the podium. Throughout the encounter, the number 8 travelled up and down his left flank. His second goal of the season, after a smart chest and half-volley, served to reward his efforts.