Last French representative in a European Cup, OGC Nice is in favorable balloting, Thursday, March 16, at the time of receiving Sheriff Tiraspol, beaten 1-0 in the first leg in Moldova. To validate his ticket for the quarter-finals of the C4, he will be able to count on his Algerian midfielder Hicham Boudaoui

When he landed on the Côte d'Azur in August 2019, at the age of 19 from the Algerian club Paradou, the native of Béchar was still a kid. "I became a man in Nice," he says honestly. "In four years, I've grown a lot in my game and in my head."

Today, he is one of the main strengths of the team set up by Didier Digard. Even discreet, he asserts himself as a boss on the ground.

"Yes, I talk more. With age and at my sentry station, I give orders. In the match, I feel that I am being listened to. Well, in life, it's different," he admits with a broad smile.

🟩Youssouf Ndayishimiye
has never seen a player like Boudaoui. The entire Nice squad is unanimous on the Bechar diamond! pic.twitter.com/O2FDa3KFgc

— The Green Wave ⭐️🇩🇿⭐️ (@la_vagueverte) March 2, 2023

He, whom the assistant coach of the club, Frédéric Gioria, readily compares to Jean Tigana, bluffs everyone currently. Starting with its partners. "Already in Turkey, I followed him and I loved his game," said winter rookie Youssouf Ndayshimiye. He's fantastic. I've never seen a player like him."

"His teammates are marked by his consistency," adds Digard. He loses very few balls, positions himself well, gets out of complicated situations. Sometimes it feels like it's flying. There are people around him. And suddenly, there is no one left!"

Boudaoui finally chains the matches

Launched by Patrick Vieira during the 2019-2020 season where he played 9 matches in L1, Boudaoui, who has 80 to date, has long suffered from his frail physique. And repeated injuries. That is no longer the case. "I feel good physically and ready to play matches," says the one who recently extended in Nice, where he feels "very happy", until June 2027.

Repositioned as an axial midfielder during the interim of Adrian Ursea, of which Digard was the assistant, between January and June 2021, he was again expatriated on the right under Christophe Galtier last season.

"Even though I progressed, I didn't feel good when I played on the right," he said. Axial midfielder, that's my real position. I feel good and can give more for the team."

Tireless worker, very clean in his release of the ball, the Algerian international (10 caps) also knows "by his conduct, to break lines", according to Digard.

"What I like is his ability to perform every weekend," continued the young coach. Many are strong over a period, he is over time. He impresses us. I can't find a limit to it. For me, Hicham is indispensable."

But Boudaoui necessarily intends to make further progress. He wants to become "more decisive". He who has only one assist this season intends to score more, to be fairer in the last pass. "He has the ability, I'm sure he will succeed," says Digard, essential in the transformation of the environment.

"He comes to talk to me and tells me to play like I know," Boudaoui said of his coach. He gives me confidence. And I need to be confident. That way, I can give everything and play quietly."

With AFP

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