Nice must absolutely win in Moscow to hope to see the round of 16 of the Europa League. However, having lost 2-3 in the first leg, they will have a hard time reversing the trend on a pitch more favorable to the Russians…
Leader of the Russian Premier League, Lokomotiv is close to its first UEFA Europa League round of 16 in history after last Thursday’s victory.
A match during which Nice made the best possible start thanks to a double from Mario Balotelli – his fifth and sixth goals of the campaign – in the first half, but Lokomotiv turned the situation around, with a hat-trick from the Portuguese international Manuel Fernandes – his second in the competition this season – allowing the Muscovites to win 3-2 at the Allianz Riviera. The hosts were reduced to ten men while leading 2-1 after Racine Coly’s direct red card.
THE NICE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Benitez, Cardinale, Clementia
Defenders: Burner, Dante, Pelmard, Perraud, Sarr
Midfielders: Cyprien, Lees-Melou, Lusamba, Makengo, Marcel, Mendy, Seri, Tameze
Forwards: Balotelli, Plea, Sacko, Saint-Maximin, Srarfi
Goalkeepers: Benitez, Cardinale, Clementia
Defenders: Burner, Dante, Pelmard, Perraud, Sarr
Midfielders: Cyprien, Lees-Melou, Lusamba, Makengo, Marcel, Mendy, Seri, Tameze
Forwards: Balotelli, Plea, Sacko, Saint-Maximin, Srarfi
THE REFEREE
UEFA has appointed Pavel Královec to officiate the match. The 40-year-old Czech referee, who notably officiated during Euro 2016, will be assisted by his compatriot Ivo Nadvornik and Slovak Roman Slysko.
