OGC Nice has not yet mathematically said goodbye to the Europa League, far from it, but after the heavy defeat conceded at home by Franck Haise's men against Glasgow Rangers (1-4), it is starting to become difficult to consider anything other than exiting through the back door to the Gym. Against the Scots, the Niçois paid dearly for the gifts given to their opponents. Christmas is coming, but that's no excuse.
Speaking of excuses, coach Franck Haise, half-resigned, half-optimistic, complained about the number of absentees in his squad. Sanson, Mendy, Clauss, Moffi… There were 12 of them in the infirmary, and Ndayishimiye was added to the list after a quarter of an hour of play in the Europa League on Thursday evening. “It's been too much since the start of the season to lead two competitions at the same time, we have to be quite clear-minded about the situation. »
“The step was too high” for Franck Haise
The Gym's only scorer last night, young midfielder Badredine Bounani gave another speech on Canal +. “Can we put this defeat down to the absentees? We can't say that, because the squad is complete. I think we have a quality group. » Obviously not enough to compete with the 3rd in the Scottish championship.
“I hope that at one point we will find a little more strength to be able to play in the championship, the European Cup and the Coupe de France,” continued Franck Haise. “But we must recognize that the step was too high even if I think that we started the match rather well. But afterwards, when we offer goals to our opponents by making such significant individual errors, it is very difficult. »
Le Gym hopes to “recover” against OL
Looking ahead to the trip to Lyon on Sunday in the championship, Haise continued: “We always got back up. Life, football, sport that's it, you have to get back up. Will we be able to do it on Sunday? Whether we will have the means to do it, I have no assurance. But I know we will get back up. I hope it will be Sunday because we have a big match awaiting us away and we are on eight games without defeat in the league. »
As for the Europa League, he assured that “as long as there is a possibility”, it will be necessary to play it “fully”. All this does not exude joy. At most a facade of optimism.
