Hardly flamboyant in the European Cup this season, OGC Nice still took its two points against Real Sociedad and Twente at home. This Thursday evening, the Allianz-Riviera effect was not felt. Beaten away by Lazio and Ferencvaros, the Aiglons recorded a third defeat at home in this Europa League campaign. For a very disappointing result.
In the first act, Franck Haise’s men held out the stick to be beaten. After half an hour of play, the Scots found the fault three times before the break, benefiting from the largesse of the Riviera defense to see off the Cerny (35e), Diomande (38e) and Igamane (45e+3) mark in turn.
Nice penultimate in the Europa League
Despite better intentions displayed after returning from the locker room, it was again the Rangers who struck at the start of the second half, for a double from Igamane (0-4, 54e). Bouanani still saved his team’s honor at the end of the match, with a nice direct free kick (1-4, 83e). Insufficient of course to act as a consolation prize, especially since Nice finds itself 35e and penultimate in the general classification of this Europa League. Only three lengths, certainly, from a 24e level synonymous with dams. And with three more matches to negotiate in this first phase against Union Saint-Gilloise, in two weeks, then Elfsborg and Bodo/Glimt in January.
