This Thursday, OGC Nice visited the pitch of Ludogorets in Bulgaria for the final day of the Europa League. Without showing much, the Gym was defeated on Bulgarian soil (0-1), ending a failed European campaign on all fronts.
A young OGC Nice squad for a final appearance in the Europa League! Without most of its key players—injured or rested—the Gym had a date in Bulgaria, this Thursday on the pitch of Ludogorets, for its last European match of the season. The fate of the Aiglons was already sealed even before the end of the match, after a disastrous start in the competition by Nice (six consecutive defeats). Already eliminated, Claude Puel took advantage of this trip to make extensive changes, just like last week, during the victory against Go Ahead Eagles (3-1). This was evident from the red and black lineup (22 years average age on paper), where Everton, Bard-Hamilton Mantsounga, and Djibril Coulibaly started the match. For the latter—touted as the great prospect of the Azure training center—it was his second start of his young career, the first since the return playoff against Benfica, where he started the game to everyone’s surprise.
Under a light drizzle, the Aiglons began this match laboriously. Even though Claude Puel’s men had possession, they lacked precision in their passing, committing many unnecessary errors and turnovers. Gradually, Ludogorets, in front of their supporters, took control of the game. It should also be noted that the Bulgarian club, 25th at kickoff, was still in the running for a Europa League playoff qualification. To achieve this, they needed a win against this revamped Gym. This was far from the case. The spectacle was not present tonight in Razgrad. The best opportunity for Nice came a few minutes before the break. After a good dribble, Isak Jansson shot too wide. At the far post, Kevin Carlos was too short to intercept the ball’s trajectory.
The Gym punished before the break
But, as too often this season, OGC Nice paid for their mistakes. During a weaker period, the Niçois conceded the opening goal in this match (0-1, 42’). After several turnovers too quickly given away in the Niçois half, Petar Stanic found himself, alone, in front of Yehvann Diouf. Facing the Aiglons’ goalkeeper, the Serb didn’t hesitate and scored on one of the rare Bulgarian opportunities in this first half. The 2-0 goal for Ludogorets was narrowly avoided immediately after. Spaces opened up in the Niçois defense, which was collapsing from all sides just before the break.
Seeing the Gym trailing in the Europa League has almost become a habit over the past two years. Too sloppy, Claude Puel’s players couldn’t claw back in this encounter. The usual “substitutes” didn’t take advantage of this matchup, without any sporting stakes for Nice, to make an impression and earn points. Antoine Mendy’s teammates weren’t helped by the low pace of the game. And things didn’t improve as the Niçois were unable to ignite and turn around the second half. Ludogorets, for their part, seemed content with this 1-0 scoreline, which allowed them to snag a playoff spot.
Seven defeats in eight European matches for OGC Nice
The post even prevented the Bulgarians from definitively widening the gap on the scoreboard. The youthful Niçese (Tom Louchet, Kaïl Boudache, Millan Brignone) tried, in vain, to deliver a final Niçese rally of pride. The score didn’t change in this match, and OGC Nice tallied a seventh defeat in eight matches in this edition of the Europa League. Once again, it was a tough campaign for the Azurean club, which finishes 33rd in the standings of the competition. The Aiglons were never able to join the fight for qualifying spots in the next round. There will be little positive to retain from this failed European campaign by Nice from start to finish.
OGC Nice thus concludes this Europa League chapter in this 2025-2026 season. The Aiglons have only two competitions left to play: Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France. Claude Puel’s men will return to the French championship this Sunday, February 1st. The Gym will host Stade Brestois for the 20th day of L1. The match will kick off at 5:15 PM at the Allianz Riviera.
