Behind figures you can sometimes find… other figures! When compared with the team stats that have already been put in the spotlight, other individual stats can seem rather ‘anodyne’ at first viewing. That doesn’t mean that they are any less revealing and they provide an alternative view of Les Aiglons’ season. Here are 5 examples…

Dante looking forward

36 years old and always looking forward! The experienced head among the group and captain of Les Aiglons, Dante is the first launch pad for the Red and Black’s attacking football. Walter Benitez’s first option, the Brazilian international adds tempo to the team.

The proof: Only Gabriel (578), LOSC’s Brazilian defender, has successfully completed more forward passes than the Nice captain (570) in Ligue 1 this season.  Dante is also the defender that has attempted the most passes in the top flight in 2019/20 (1630).

Pelmard outside of the box

Capable of playing through the middle or out wide, Andy Pelmard (20 years old) is a defender that is ‘full of beans’.

Solid in his battles, his tackles and at ease on the ball, the Niçois is involved in battles across the pitch, except those that take place in the opposition’s box. This season in L1, the former Saint-Sylvestre man is the outfield player with the most touches of the ball… without touching the ball once in the box (723).

Uncatchable Atal

Youcef Atal has completed on average 3.6 dribbles per match in Ligue 1 this season.

Only Neymar (6) boasts a better record than the African Champion, a full-back by trade but often used as a winger by Les Aiglons, due to his speed and skill on the ball.

PLM, for the love of the game

Although he hasn’t been in charge of set pieces this season, leaving the way to Wylan Cyprien, Alexis Claude-Maurice and Adam Ounas, Pierre Lees-Melou has had a considerable impact on the balance of the Nice team.

Only Angel Di Maria (10) and Islam Slimani (7) have picked up more assists in open play than PLM (6) in Ligue 1 this season.

Ganago wins time

Ignatius Ganago is the Nice player who has come on off the bench most in Ligue 1 this season (14 sub appearances). In 2019-20, the Cameroon international made significant progress in terms of his consistency, also picking up 12 starts in L1 (3 goals, 1 assist) and taking his tally to 26 appearances in 28 matches.

If you add the three cup matches (1 goal), the forward almost hit the 30 match mark in this last campaign (29) despite the early termination of the season after Matchday 28.

 

Photos : IconSport

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