Mohamed Abdelmonem starts again for Nice against Le Mans

Mohamed Abdelmonem has been named in the Nice starting line-up for their French league meeting with Le Mans, giving the Egypt international a second successive start for the club.

Nice head coach Olivier Pantaloni selected the defender from the outset for the third-round fixture. The decision continues Abdelmonem’s return to regular involvement after he was limited to 70 minutes in Nice’s previous match against Paris FC.

That appearance was Abdelmonem’s first successive start for Nice in the current sequence. He was withdrawn after 70 minutes as Nice were beaten 3-0 by Paris FC.

The defender’s selection against Le Mans means he will again be trusted in the starting team as Nice look to improve their position in the French league. The club have collected one point from their opening matches of the season.

Abdelmonem joined Nice from Al Ahly last season, but his campaign was disrupted by a cruciate ligament injury. The problem kept him out of action for most of the season and significantly restricted his opportunities to play for the French club.

His inclusion from the beginning against Le Mans represents another step in his involvement with Nice following that lengthy absence. It also marks the second consecutive match in which Pantaloni has chosen the Egypt international as part of his starting XI.

The 70-minute outing against Paris FC was Abdelmonem’s most recent competitive appearance before the meeting with Le Mans. Although he completed most of that match, Nice endured a difficult result, losing by three goals without reply.

Nice now face Le Mans in the third round of the French league with one point to their name this season. Abdelmonem’s latest start comes as the club attempt to produce a stronger performance after the defeat by Paris FC.

The centre-back arrived at Nice from Al Ahly last season, but the cruciate ligament injury prevented him from featuring for much of the campaign. His return to the starting line-up for consecutive games provides continued playing involvement as he works his way back after the injury.

For Pantaloni, the decision keeps continuity in the defensive selection for the second match in a row. For Abdelmonem, it is another opportunity to build rhythm at Nice after a season in which his progress was interrupted by injury.

The match against Le Mans is therefore the second successive fixture in which the Egypt defender has started for Nice, following his appearance against Paris FC.