Ludogorets defender Olivier Verdon has said he is determined to secure victory against OGC Nice as the Bulgarian champions prepare for a decisive Europa League match that will determine their progress in the competition.
The 30-year-old Benin international, who also holds French nationality, was speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of Ludogorets’ final group-stage fixture. The Bulgarian side must win to secure qualification for the Europa League play-off round and keep alive their hopes of reaching the last 16.
The match will be played on Thursday evening at the Huvepharma Arena, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 local time.
With qualification at stake, the encounter carries significant weight for both teams, but Verdon admitted the occasion holds particular personal importance.
Having been at Ludogorets since 2020, Verdon is one of the more experienced figures in the squad and has been closely involved in the club’s recent European campaigns.
Facing a French opponent has added an emotional dimension to the contest for the former Girondins de Bordeaux and FC Sochaux player.
“For me, this is a special match. Many of my French friends have called me. I want to show them that Ludogorets is a good team, capable of competing with a strong French team.
We have prepared, we want to win the three points,” said the defender.
Ludogorets, who are the reigning champions of Bulgaria, enter the final matchday knowing that anything other than victory would end their European campaign at this stage.
That reality has shaped the team’s preparation, with the focus firmly on securing the result required to advance.
Verdon acknowledged the quality of the opposition but insisted that Ludogorets are capable of rising to the challenge on home soil.
He underlined the importance of collective effort and concentration in a match where fine margins are expected to play a decisive role.
The defender’s comments reflected a wider sense of belief within the squad, built on their experience in European competition and their consistency at domestic level.
Ludogorets have regularly featured in UEFA tournaments in recent seasons and will be looking to draw on that pedigree as they approach the decisive fixture.
As kick-off approaches, the pressure is clear, but so too is the motivation. For Verdon, the match represents both a professional objective and a personal test, as he prepares to face a club from the country where he developed his career.
With qualification on the line and a packed home stadium expected, Ludogorets will be hoping that preparation, belief and urgency combine to deliver the victory they need against Nice.
