Arriving in Nice during the summer of 2016, Walter Benitez remained patient before taking his opportunity. This came on 27 October 2017, when he replaced Yoan Cardinale, against Paris (0-3). Since then, the Argentine hasn’t missed a game in the league (12 consecutive starts), and has shown real consistency in his performances.

He spoke confidently, but without being overly so, to the press ahead of the trip to Metz (kick-off on Saturday at 8pm). He was preceded by a laudatory Coach Favre. “He has been through some very difficult times but he held on, explained the Swiss coach. 

He is an incredibly hard worker, on the pitch and in everything he does here (at the training ground). He doesn’t stop, so he has been rewarded for his effort and his quality. Sometimes, that’s the way it is, the timings are right, he is playing well and it’s difficult to change it. He continues to work hard, he is still very young (25 years old) and still has work ahead of him. Lionel (Letizi, goalkeeping coach) is doing very well.”

“To show the coach that you are always ready” 

“Yes. I love to work, answered the interested party. I like to arrive before training to do a bit with the fitness coach or the goalkeeping coach. It’s important. The position is difficult, you need to show the coach that you are always ready to help the team.” 

Something that he was and more at a decisive moment this season, during the trip to Toulouse which turned around the Gym’s season (6 wins and 2 draws since). This was all made made possible by: his penalty save. “I work on them too. I look at the videos before the match, with the coach or alone, we analyse a little bit to have an idea of what the taker will do...”,  explained the ex-Quilmes keeper who is now calmly focussed on the Aiglons’ next encounter. 

---