OGC Nice, the shame of French football

All season, the so-called ambitious Ligue 1 clubs repeat to anyone who will listen their desire to secure a European place. This is to their credit. We still have to assume the following season. OGC Nice, 5th in the championship last season, deserved to play in the Europa League in 2024/2025 thanks to its journey in the soap opera of French football. Barely the start of the year, the Riviera club puts everyone to shame. Its supporters, football fans and representatives of French clubs.

Penultimate in the Europa League, between Dynamo kyiv and Qarabag, Nice was beaten Thursday evening by Elfsborg (1-0), terror of the Old Continent and seventh in the last Swedish championship. Now eliminated from the competition, Franck Haise's team will fight against another big name, Bodo Glimt (10th), next Thursday, to avoid finishing last. Quite an ambition for the current fifth in the Ligue 1 standings. Pathetic from start to finish. And without this shocking anyone, the sweetness of life and the lack of pressure around the Riviera club leave room for such decadence.

8th budget in Ligue 1 and incapable of beating second-rate clubs

With two draws and five defeats on the clock, for no victory in seven matches, OGC Nice is therefore the laughing stock of French football this season on the European scene. What's the point of fighting for a whole season to compete in Europe and then lose the competition a few months later? Thursday evening, Franck Haise, who also has his share of responsibility, aware of the weakness of his troops when it comes to leaving the country, had decided to set up a B team. Even the usual replacements did not unable to rise to the occasion, facing a team which has not played since mid-December, due to the winter break.

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More than its personal situation, the Nice institution, of which no one knows what the real project is with the expected disengagement of Ineos and the absence of investment assumed in recent months, has not fulfilled its role in the race for UEFA coefficient. When the clubs involved in the Champions League fight every week, with resources sometimes inferior to them (Brest), to shine the image of France, the Nice players have shone in their ability to lose against anyone . Without ever showing a crazy desire to be respected in the Europa League. Failing to think about oneself, the OGCN does not even think about others. Pure selfishness. The assumed decay.

The excuse of injuries, a busy schedule or unfavorable scenarios are all inaudible arguments when we see the (weak) pedigree of certain teams ahead in the ranking. The 8th budget in Ligue 1 is therefore incapable of winning a match, before the last day, against second-rate clubs. And in the months to come, some of its protagonists will try to heat up the debates, to galvanize an audience, with the quest for European qualification. It is up to leaders and bosses, if there are any left, to take their responsibilities. The shame has lasted long enough.