OGC Nice hosts Salzburg tonight (9 PM) with the main objective being to keep alive the wild hope of qualifying for the round of 32.
The victory in the first leg did a lot of good. After two defeats against Schalke 04 (0-1) and Krasnodar (5-2), the Aiglons managed to secure a valuable win on the field of Salzburg, in Austria.
This success reinvigorates Nice in the race for qualification and offers them a slim hope of continuing the adventure beyond the group stage.
Clumsy and jostled during their first two outings, the team from Nice showed more solidity and comfort during their trip to Austria, somewhat like they are in the championship: the Gym remains unbeaten after eleven rounds (9 wins, 2 draws), and is in control.
Many considered the challenge too high for Nice, but Alassane Plรฉa’s teammates proved they had the means to emerge from their tough group. A win against Salzburg would give the Gym two finals, first against Schalke and then Krasnodar.
The opponent
The Austrian club is the reigning triple champion of the Austrian Bundesliga, with a total of ten national titles since 1994. Salzburg has also won four Austrian Cups, the most recent of which was last year.
The club has been continuously present in European competitions for ten years, advancing from the Europa League groups in 2012 (16th), 2014 (8th), and 2015 (16th). Last year, Red Bull Salzburg was eliminated in the Europa League playoffs by Dinamo Minsk, via a penalty shootout. This year, after losing in the Champions League playoffs to Dinamo Zagreb, Salzburg found themselves in the Europa League.
Salzburg can count on their captain Jonathan Soriano, the main star of the team and a formidable striker.
The absentees
The prolonged absences of Maxime Le Marchand, Mickaรซl Le Bihan, and Gautier Lloris (injured) are still to be lamented.
Mouez Hassen and Paul Baysse have also been ruled out.
On the Austrian side, the injured players are named Christian Schwegler, Smail Prevljak (knee), and Wanderson (thigh).
The Nice squad
Goalkeepers: Cardinale, Benitez.
Defenders: Souquet, Ricardo, Boscagli, Dalbert, Dante, Sarr.
Midfielders: Belhanda, Seri, Eysseric, Walter, Bodmer, Cyprien, Koziello.
Forwards: Balotelli, Plรฉa, Donis
The referee
The match will be refereed by Turkish official Hรผseyin Gรถรงek. He will be assisted on the touchline by Mustapha Emre Eyisoy and Kemal Yilmaz.
