Here’s the translation of the text from French to English:
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2024 was a very eventful year for the Gym. The year for Nice was marked by the club’s return to the European Cup. However, the European hopes of the red and black were quickly dashed after a difficult start to their Europa League campaign.
Hopes followed by regrets, in a few words, summarize the year 2024 for OGC Nice. Once again, the season was lively and eventful on the Côte d’Azur. In 2024, the Eagles won 13 matches, drew 15 times, and were also defeated 15 times in 43 matches played that year. A decent record, but nothing more, indicating that the Gym went through several difficult periods over the past twelve months.
Let’s go back to the beginning: after a challenging start to the year, OGC Nice finished the 2023/24 season on a strong note. After a final draw on the pitch of LOSC (2-2), Dante and his teammates managed to secure their ticket to the Europa League by finishing in 5th place in Ligue 1. The Eagles returned to the European stage after a year of absence. In the Coupe de France, the Azuréens had a brilliant run up to the quarter-finals, logically bowing out to PSG at the Parc des Princes.
Many changes in the offseason
Despite meeting their sporting objectives, OGC Nice underwent numerous changes in their squad and staff during the summer period. The duo of Franck Haise and Florian Maurice was appointed to replace Francesco Farioli, who moved to Ajax, and Florian Ghisolfi, who headed to AS Roma. The offensive playing philosophy of the former Lens coach was a radical change from that advocated by the Italian coach, which was based on a compact defensive block. On the players’ side, the Gym made successful sales of Jean-Clair Todibo (to West Ham) and Khephren Thuram (to Juventus Turin).
To replace them, the management of the Eagles bet on several high-potential players like Moïse Bombito and Mohamed Abdelmomen, as well as experienced players, such as the two French internationals, Tanguy Ndombele and Jonathan Clauss. The last half of 2024 was dedicated to the adaptation period for Franck Haise. The Gym’s squad was never complete to play a match (up to 13 absentees for a single match). A strange curse seemed to have befallen the Nice group in these last weeks.
Despite this, the Gym performed well in the 2024/25 Ligue 1 campaign. Midway through, Melvin Bard and his teammates are in 6th place in the standings. The Eagles can legitimately aim for a European spot next season. In the Europa League, things are more complicated and difficult. The red and black have not won a single match in the six matches played. It would take a miracle for the team to make it through to the next qualifying round. In short, OGC Nice will have plenty to fuel their ambitions in 2025. To remind, the Azuréen club is still in the running in the Coupe de France, where they will face… Bastia, in Corsica, in the round of 16.
