This Thursday, OGC Nice faced FC Porto in the context of the 5th Europa League matchday. Once again, the Eagles were defeated after a dismal performance (0-3). With zero points on the scoreboard, the Nice team could say goodbye to their last hopes of qualification.
The situation for OGC Nice in the Europa League, at kickoff, was simple. Four matches, four defeats, zero points scored, and an alarming 35th place occupied by the Gym in the standings. The Eagles are stringing together defeats, and also giving gifts to their opponents, as during the last red-and-black setback against Freiburg (1-3) in the previous matchday. To maintain a last hope of qualification, they needed to take all three points on Portuguese soil. For this clash, Franck Haise could rely on the return of Dante as a starter. The Nice captain started a match for the first time since last October 18, and a win against OL (3-2) in Ligue 1.
And once again, it started badly, very badly, for OGC Nice. The Porto players, very aggressive from the kickoff, needed only eighteen seconds to open the scoring (1-0, 1’). Alone in the area, Gabri Veiga didn’t ask for much and only had to adjust Yehvann Diouf. Quite apathetic, the Nice team was – yet again – surprised at the beginning of the match, in a Europa League game. As per their (bad) habit, Terem Moffi‘s teammates squandered their chances during the first seconds of the game.
Nice Starts Poorly
After this tumultuous start to the match, Franck Haise‘s men managed to get their heads above water, though not flamboyantly. Clumsy in front of the goal, Terem Moffi completely missed the best red-and-black opportunity of the first twenty minutes of the game. On the other side, FC Porto lived up to its status as a major European team. The Portuguese were clinical in their situations (2-0, 33’). After breaking into the Eagles’ box, Gabri Veiga scored twice, strengthening his team’s lead. The Gym was definitely not at the level of this Europa League. There was not much to savor in this first half for the Nice side.
It almost became too easy for Francesco Farioli’s team. In great difficulty, like his teammates, Dante conceded a penalty on an avoidable intervention. Samu didn’t tremble and converted the penalty (3-0, 62’). Porto took a large lead on the scoreboard. Without forcing, the Portuguese outclassed the Eagles in all areas. The Nice players, themselves, were too clumsy to hope to get back into the match, as seen with this opportunity for Kevin Carlos, who had just entered the game and couldn’t find the target. The space was there, but the final Nice gesture was lacking and systematically missed precision.
Another Defeat for OGC Nice
Without shining, OGC Nice succumbed to a fifth consecutive defeat in all competitions, also the fifth in a row in the Europa League. With three matchdays remaining in this mini-league phase, the Eagles still haven’t scored a single point in the competition. Under these conditions, Franck Haise‘s players abandon all hope of qualification for the next round. It remains possible, from an accounting point of view. But it’s hard to see how this Nice could overturn the situation after such a performance. Morgan Sanson‘s teammates now have three matches left to show some pride, with the goal of saving the red and black’s honor in this competition.
The next match is as soon as this weekend, on Sunday, November 30, for OGC Nice. The Eagles will travel to Brittany to face FC Lorient as part of the 14th matchday of Ligue 1. Kick-off for the match is at 5:15 PM at Stade du Moustoir.
