Tonight (21:05), “Les Aiglons” begin their European campaign by hosting a formidable opponent: Schalke 04, a team accustomed to being at the top of the league and participating in the European Cup.
The Allianz Riviera is hosting its very first European Cup match tonight. After a brief stint (and a cruel elimination against Limassol, a Cypriot club) in 2013-2014, “Les Aiglons” are once again savoring the flavor of Europe.
After an almost perfect start to the season (three wins, one draw) with a superb victory against Marseille, and an exciting end to the transfer window (Dante, Belhanda, and especially Mario Balotelli have arrived), OGC Nice seems ready to take on Europe.
On the contrary, the German club has had a tough start to the season, with two defeats in two league matches: 1-0 against Eintracht Frankfurt and 0-2 against Bayern Munich.
The Opponent
Schalke 04 is by far the most formidable opponent in the group. Fifth in the last Bundesliga, the North Rhine club is accustomed to the European scene, alternating between the Champions League (2011, 2013, 2014, 2015) and the Europa League (2012, 2016). Last year, Schalke was eliminated in the round of 32 by Shakhtar Donetsk.
The seven-time German champion has already won a European competition: the UEFA Cup in 1997. Their most recent title was in 2011, with a victory in the German Super Cup.
On the field, the German club can count on their striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, their captain Benedikt Höwedes, and also Benjamin Stambouli, just transferred from Paris Saint-Germain. Stambouli mentioned in a press conference: “There are quite a few French speakers who obviously knew Nice. Among the Germans, there are a few who talked to me about it because they followed last season’s good performance. Everyone is wary of this team. We know that if they are here, it’s not for nothing. We know their qualities.”
The Absentees
Few absentees for this first European match. On the Nice side, only Valentin Eysseric, suspended after being sent off in his last match with Saint-Étienne (against FC Basel, February 25), will serve his suspension tonight. Other absentees include Alexy Bosetti and Anastasios Donis.
On the German side, all key players will be present and the squad is fully fit.
The Nice Squad
Goalkeepers: Cardinale, Hassen
Defenders: Baysse, Boscagli, Dalbert, Dante, Ricardo, Sarr, Souquet
Midfielders: Bodmer, Cyprien, Koziello, Seri, Walter
Forwards: Balotelli, Belhanda, Lusamba, Pléa
The Schalke 04 Squad
Goalkeepers: Fährmann, Wellenreuther, Nübel
Defenders: Caicara, Höwedes, Kolasinac, Baba, Aogo, Kehrer, Riether, Naldo, Nastasic.
Midfielders: Geis, Meyer, Goretzka, Bentaleb, Konoplyanka, Stambouli, Schöpf.
Forwards: Di Santo, Choupo-Moting, Huntelaar, Embolo.
The Referee
The first European encounter against the Germans will be officiated by a trio of Spanish referees. Alberto Undiano Mallenco will be at the center of the discussions, assisted on the touchline by Roberto Diaz Perez Del Palomar and Raul Cabanero Martinez.
Experienced referee Mr. Undiano Mallenco (42 years old) is a regular in international competitions, having not only officiated at the European Cups but also at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Photo credit and more information at www.ogcnice.com
