Still in search of their first victory in the Europa League, the Gym has no other choice and finds itself obliged to achieve a good result in Belgium. Another defeat would extinguish the hopes of qualification for the Aiglons. All the pre-match information can be discovered here.
The three points! With their backs against the wall in the Europa League, OGC Nice has no other choice. Franck Haise’s men must perform flawlessly in their last three European matches to secure a spot in the playoff round. The first step of this journey will take place in Belgium. The Aiglons will play away against Union Saint-Gilloise (kick-off this Thursday at 18:45). As a reminder, the Gym suffered a terrible setback against the Rangers (1-4) in the last matchday of this mini-championship.
The teammates of Moïse Bombito are still seeking their first victory in this 2024/25 edition of the Europa League. However, the Aiglons are only three points behind the last qualifying spot, temporarily occupied by… Union Saint-Gilloise. The stakes will be high for both sides in this encounter. Another discouraging statistic for the Gym: the Nice team has lost during their first two away games this season (Lazio Rome and Ferencvaros). This Thursday, no fewer than 850 supporters from the French Riviera will travel to Belgium to support the red and blacks.
One return to the squad
With which team will the Gym challenge their Belgian opponent? in principle, the squad summoned by Franck Haise should strongly resemble the one that was victorious against Le Havre (2-0). Terem Moffi (knee), Morgan Sanson, Antoine Mendy (ankle), Victor Orakpo (pubalgia), Dante (meniscus), Mohamed Ali-Cho (hamstrings) remain in the infirmary. Similarly, Youssouf Ndayishimiye, Ali Abdi (tendon), Mohamed Abdelmonem (calf), and Melvin Bard (foot) remain in the infirmary. Several of these players are not expected to return to the field before 2025. Only Jonathan Clauss returns to the Nice squad. Injured in the thigh since the last international break, the French defender strengthens a rejuvenated defensive sector.
On the opposite side, Union Saint-Gilloise has finally kicked off their Europa League campaign in the last matchday. After a mixed start, the Belgians won on the pitch of Twente (0-1). A victory that completely reinvigorates Sébastien Pocognoli’s players in the race for qualification. In terms of their squad, a familiar face to Ligue 1 fans is present, that of Sofiane Boufal (a former player of Angers and Lille among others).
Probable Lineups
Union Saint-Gilloise: Moris (C) – MacAllister, Burgess, Sykes – Khalaili, Sadiki, Vanhoutte, Niang – Boufal – Fuseini, Ivanovic
Nice: Bulka – Louchet, Rosario (C), Bombito, Nandjou – Camara, Boudaoui, Diop – Bouanani – Laborde, Guessand
