Few predicted, at the time of the Europa League draw this summer, that OGC Nice would not have won a single match after challenging Real Sociedad, Lazio, Ferencváros and Twente. If there is absolutely no shame in not beating the first two cities who are regulars in European games, the defeat in Hungary followed by the almost miraculous draw against the Dutch is cause for concern regarding the European future of Nice, who host Glasgow Rangers with the hope of finally launching their European campaign. This same formation that OL pulverized in Scotland (4-1) at the beginning of October, and which appears to be ideal prey for the Aiglons.
The Rangers are on the ropes of Nice
An underperformance on a European scale which is striking, both in Ligue 1, OGC Nice seems to have unlocked the machine since its dashing 8-0 against the Greens at the end of September. Since then, the Azuréens have not lost a single match in the league and have moved up to fifth place in the standings, just six points behind their Monegasque rival. Yes, but now, since the start of the season, the Niçois have had to deal with an infirmary department that is always full or almost full, which penalizes Franck Haise and his staff, to such an extent that for the reception of the Rangers, the tactician will once again have to do without of Jonathan Clauss, Ali Abdi, Morgan Sanson, Terem Moffi and Antoine Mendy, as well as the suspended Sofiane Diop and Moïse Bombito. Worse : “Dante and Jérémie Boga were unable to train on Tuesday. I hope to get one or two players back. Youssouf (I appreciate it) et (Mohamed) Abdelmonem must train collectively today »Haise said this Wednesday.
We don't need twelve points to qualify. I don't need to put that pressure on to win matches.
These hard blows can explain Nice's inability not to continue on the tables, but still: Ferencváros, Twente or the Rangers are formations which must be within the reach of the Gym, even reworked. To do this, he will have to put an end to a bad habit that sticks to him: conceding the first goal, which has happened in six of his last seven outings. « There are four games left to play, twelve points to take, recalled the leader of the Aiglons in a pre-match press conference. We don't need twelve points to qualify. I don't need to put that pressure on to win matches. »
There are words to play down the drama, of course, but there are also the facts: the last European success of the OGCN dates back to March 16, 2023, against Sheriff Tiraspol, in the round of 16 first leg of the Conference League. Nor is it the kind of resounding feat of arms that could reassure everyone and prevent us from thinking that a small psychological blockage remains in the Alpes-Maritimes, a department which is still awaiting a great epic from its flagship team. Even if, as Marcin Bulka clarified in turn, this Nice-Rangers is not yet mathematically decisive for the future: « This is not the last chance match. Afterwards, of course it's a very important match, of course the victory would count more than at the start. » One thing is certain: the Allianz Riviera is just waiting for a spark to brighten up its stands and launch its season on all levels.
Nice Glasgow Rangers prediction: Analysis, odds and prediction for the Europa League poster
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