Nice Crash Out of Europa League Without a Win
OGC Nice ended their 2024/25 UEFA Europa League campaign without a single victory after a 1-1 draw against Bodo/Glimt on Matchday 8 at the Allianz Riviera. Despite coming from behind in the second half, Francesco Farioli’s men finished second from bottom in their group, closing out a miserable European run.
📌 Match Recap: A Lackluster Performance in Front of a Sparse Crowd
With Nice already eliminated, the match lacked energy, and the low attendance of 7,000 fans—many of them traveling Norwegian supporters—reflected that. Torrential rain and a lifeless first half only added to the lack of intensity.
- First Half: Neither side truly imposed themselves. Nice failed to create a single clear-cut chance, while Hakon Evjen hit the post for Bodo/Glimt, who were still fighting for a top-eight finish.
- Second Half: Bodo/Glimt capitalized on a Nice mistake to break the deadlock.
- 49′ ⚽ Goal – Fredrik André Bjorkan (Bodo/Glimt 1-0 Nice): Gaëtan Laborde, who was subbed on at halftime, made a costly error, attempting a dribble out of defense that was easily intercepted. The ball fell to Bjorkan, who slotted past backup goalkeeper Maxime Dupé.
Bodo/Glimt then sat back to protect their lead, but their game-management approach backfired:
- 78′ ⚽ Goal – Badredine Bouanani (Nice 1-1 Bodo/Glimt): Laborde, trying to make amends for his earlier error, cut the ball back for Bouanani, who powered into the box and fired home to level the score.
Neither side could find a winner in the closing minutes, and the draw meant Nice ended their European journey without a victory.
📊 OGC Nice Player Ratings
⭐ Standout Performer
- Moïse Bombito (7/10) – Nice’s best player on the night. Made two crucial interceptions, maintained strong positioning throughout, and was excellent in distribution. A solid return from injury.
😕 Underwhelming Displays
- Youssoufa Moukoko (3/10) – Failed to impact the game, looked disconnected from the team, and struggled to create any meaningful chances.
- Fares Bousnina (3/10) – Another ineffective display, replaced at halftime.
| Player | Rating | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Maxime Dupé | 5 | Had little to do apart from conceding the goal. |
| Mohamed Abdelmonem | 4 | Struggled to contain the opposition’s attacks. |
| Moïse Bombito | 7 ⭐ | Nice’s best player—solid defensively and composed on the ball. |
| Sofiane Diop | 5 | Quiet performance, failed to make an impact. |
| Antoine Mendy | 5 | Average display, no standout moments. |
| Badredine Bouanani | 6 | Scored the equalizer and injected some energy into the game. |
| Youssoufa Moukoko | 3 | Completely ineffective and isolated. |
| Fares Bousnina | 3 | Struggled to connect with teammates, subbed at halftime. |
| Gaëtan Laborde | 4 | Gave away the ball for Bodo/Glimt’s goal but provided an assist later. |
🔎 Match Statistics
| Stat | OGC Nice | Bodo/Glimt |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 55% | 45% |
| Shots (on target) | 7 (2) | 9 (3) |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 0.78 | 1.12 |
| Pass Accuracy | 84% | 80% |
| Corners | 4 | 5 |
| Fouls Committed | 10 | 8 |
Nice’s lack of attacking creativity was evident, with only two shots on target all game. In contrast, Bodo/Glimt were more clinical but failed to finish off the match after taking the lead.
📉 What Went Wrong for Nice?
1️⃣ Lack of Creativity – Nice failed to create clear-cut chances, managing just seven total shots in the match.
2️⃣ Poor Game Management – A sloppy error gifted Bodo/Glimt the lead, forcing Nice to chase the game late on.
3️⃣ Weak European Campaign – Zero wins in eight Europa League matches is a disastrous result for a club with European ambitions.
🗣️ Manager Reaction: Francesco Farioli (Nice Head Coach)
“We lacked intensity and urgency in the first half. The team reacted well after conceding, but overall, our European campaign has been disappointing. We must learn from this experience and come back stronger next season.”
📌 What’s Next for OGC Nice?
With European football no longer a distraction, Nice can now focus on improving their Ligue 1 form. They remain in contention for a top-four finish, but they must sharpen their attack if they want to compete in Europe again next season.
⚽ Next Match:
🆚 Nice vs. Stade Rennais
📅 February 4, 2025
🏟️ Allianz Riviera
💬 Final Thoughts: A Campaign to Forget
Nice’s Europa League run ends in disappointment, with zero wins, second from bottom in the group, and a lack of attacking threat throughout the campaign. The focus now shifts to domestic competitions, where they still have a chance to redeem themselves.
🤔 Can Nice bounce back and secure a top-four finish in Ligue 1? Let us know in the comments! 👇
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