OGC Nice Faces Crushing Defeat Against Glasgow Rangers in Europa League
In a disappointing display at the Allianz Riviera, OGC Nice suffered a significant setback in their Europa League campaign, losing 1-4 to Glasgow Rangers on November 28, 2024. This defeat marks the fifth match in the group stage for Nice, who were already struggling with a poor record of two draws and two losses prior to this encounter. The team needed a win to revive their hopes of advancing in the competition but instead found themselves sinking deeper into trouble.
The match began ominously for Nice, with defensive lapses leading to three quick goals from Rangers' players Cerny (35th minute), Diomande (38th), and Igamane (45+3rd). Despite a brief glimmer of hope with a stunning free kick from Bouanani in the 83rd minute, the damage had already been done. Igamane added another goal shortly after halftime, sealing the fate of the Aiglons, who now sit at the bottom of their group, ranked 35th out of 36 teams.
Nice's Struggles Continue in European Competition
Prior to the match, OGC Nice was in dire need of points to avoid elimination from the Europa League. The team had been performing well in domestic competitions, remaining unbeaten in Ligue 1 since mid-September with four wins and four draws. However, their European form has been dismal, with the team yet to secure a victory in the group stage, having faced tough opponents like Real Sociedad and Lazio.
Coach Franck Haise faced significant challenges leading up to the match, with several key players sidelined due to injuries, including Terem Moffi and Morgan Sanson. The absence of these players, along with suspensions for others, left Nice with a diminished squad to face a Rangers team that, despite being in third place in the Scottish league, had shown resilience in European play.
As the group stage progresses, OGC Nice must regroup and find a way to secure points in their remaining matches if they hope to qualify for the knockout rounds of the Europa League.
