No miracles.
OGC Nice absolutely had to win on Thursday in Sweden to hope to keep a tiny possibility of qualifying on the final day next week. Hopes are now buried for the Aiglons, 35th with two points and officially eliminated from the Europa League after their defeat on the pitch at Elfsborg (1-0)the fifth in seven days. Franck Haise's men were punished from a corner by a headed goal from Gustav Henriksson shortly after the hour mark.
Opportunities but ineffectiveness
However, they had dominated the first period against a Swedish team which had not played since December 12, but were not able to score more than once (in the 36th by Louchet). Even before the Swedish goal, they scared themselves in the 3rd minute of play after Qasem's header went past Maxime Dupé's goal, then just before returning to the locker room on a strike from Zeneli. Under the eyes of Alexy Bosetti who made the trip, OGC Nice continued to push in the second half but notably saw Louchet hit the ball and Petterson save his club on the line in two minutes.
Baptiste Santamaria will therefore not play in the Europa League.
- Elfsborg (3-4-3) : Pettersson – Holmen, Henriksson, Yegbe – Hedlund, B. Zeneli, Qasem, Hult – A. Zeneli, Abdullai, Rapp. Coach: Oscar Hiljemark.
Baptiste Santamaria heads south