A goal - his first in L 2- and an assist for Julien Lopez.
Tunisian Ali Abdi did not miss his first start of the season on Saturday against Le Havre (3-0).
The usual left side of 26, moved a notch higher in the very new 4-4-2 concocted by René Girard.
His positioning like that of Jonathan Pitroipa in defensive midfielder was a surprise to the composition of the coach of Paris FC, faced with many absences.
“We knew that Ali was able to take the corridor to carry danger,” Girard explains.
We have often seen Abdi in the left winger position.
“I gave everything for the team, assures the Tunisian.
I'm a very offensive left-back so it suits me well to play higher.
I have already evolved in this position in Tunisia.
I did the maximum and in addition I score.
Work pays off.
“For a few days now, Ali Abdi who has settled in Orly with his wife Sabrine and his little daughter Jory (2 and a half years old) can count on the support of his mother, who came from Sfax (Tunisia's second city).
"This is the first time that she comes to see me in France, she gave me strength", recognizes the one who has played in the biggest Tunisian clubs: Sfax, Esperance de Tunis and Club Africain.
Arrived at Paris FC in July 2019 to move to a position where Thomas Delaine and Romain Perraud had burst the screen in previous seasons, Abdi has experienced a difficult adaptation.
In his defense, his conflict with Club Africain - FIFA then agreed with him - did not allow him to carry out a complete preparation.
“When you come from another country, it's never easy to acclimatize,” he admits.
In addition, we had not started the championship well, we had bad results so it was even more complicated for me.
I have been criticized.
But I did not give up.
I was coming back, but there was confinement.
When he was no longer playing, he showed great mental strength.
“Honestly, it was nothing compared to what I have experienced in my career.
I had a lot harder time.
When you play Esperance or Club Africain, derbies in front of more than 60,000 people, you have to know how to manage a lot of pressure, especially from the supporters.
In my head, I am strong.
"
"I want to continue to show myself and be efficient so that people notice me in Tunisia"
This summer, Ali Abdi had made a good preparation.
But he was injured in the hamstrings and then contracted Covid-19, which caused him to miss the start of the championship.
In addition, the club has recruited Florent Hanin to his post.
But once again, he knew how to come back.
“I was fine but the Covid left me aside, he regrets.
I still hung on.
Since my return, the coach has shown me that he trusted me because he made me return to several positions, in the middle in Amiens, on the right side in Niort where I gave everything to equalize (Editor's note : he is at the origin of the 2-2 on a cross).
It's a plus for me to be able to play everywhere.
We are on a good dynamic, I will do everything to keep the team at the top of the table.
"
In July, an interview on a Tunisian channel where he was surprised to no longer be called up for selection with the Eagles of Carthage, made a lot of talk in his country.
“Before coming to Paris, I was always taken for internships.
Since then, nothing ... I have the impression that no one has pushed for me.
The L 2 in France is however of a very good level.
Paris FC is the leader, I want to continue to show myself and be efficient so that I am noticed in Tunisia.
Everything is in the hands of God, but I really hope to be selected for the national team for the next rally.
I will fight for that by giving the maximum with Paris FC.
"
