OGC Nice continues to search for its first Europa League victory of the season after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat in Hungary. The French side endured a difficult evening, marked by the sending off of midfielder Pablo Rosario and an injury to winger Sofiane Diop, compounding their problems in an already challenging campaign.
Following the loss, Nice midfielder Ali Abdi shared his thoughts on the team’s performance and expressed his disappointment with the result.
The former SM Caen player acknowledged the team’s shortcomings while maintaining optimism for the remainder of the tournament.
Speaking to Canal+, Abdi said, “It was a very bad evening. We need to be more efficient, to put in more intensity.
We need to raise our level.” His words reflected the frustration felt throughout the Nice camp, as the team has struggled to convert its promising play into positive results in Europe.
The match itself was a difficult affair for the Aiglons, who were reduced to 10 men after Rosario received a red card.
This forced the team into a more defensive posture, making it harder to create chances.
The injury to Diop further weakened their attacking options, leaving Nice with an uphill battle.
Despite these setbacks, Abdi remained hopeful about the future, emphasizing the importance of resilience.
“We work well, despite the injuries. We need to play until the end, to raise our level and we’ll do it,” he added, signaling the team’s determination to turn things around.
With their Europa League campaign hanging in the balance, Nice must now regroup and find a way to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures.
The team’s current form in Europe contrasts with their more stable performances in Ligue 1, where they have shown promise.
However, the pressure is mounting for head coach Francesco Farioli to find solutions quickly, as Nice’s hopes of advancing from the group stage are becoming increasingly slim.
For Ali Abdi and his teammates, the focus will be on improving their efficiency in front of goal and tightening up defensively, particularly when playing with a numerical disadvantage.
Injuries to key players like Diop only add to the challenges, but the squad remains determined to fight for a spot in the knockout stages.
As Nice prepares for the remainder of their Europa League journey, they know that the margin for error is shrinking.
Abdi’s comments highlight the sense of urgency within the team to raise their level of play and deliver the results that have eluded them so far this season.
