OGC Nice will face Glasgow Rangers tonight at the Allianz Riviera in a crucial Europa League Group Stage match, with coach Franck Haise naming a depleted 21-man squad due to a string of injuries and suspensions.
The Côte d’Azur club, still searching for its first victory in the competition, has been forced to turn to several inexperienced players to fill the gaps left by key absences.
Regular starters Bombito and Diop are unavailable due to suspensions, while Abdi, Dante, Mendy, Sanson, Moffi, and Orakpo are sidelined with injuries.
To address the shortfall, Haise has called up five players yet to feature in the Europa League this season.
Among them are defenders Everton Pereira, Laurenzo Monteiro, Yaël Nandjou, Iliesse Salhi, and forward Farès Bousnina.
These young talents will join the squad as Nice looks to claim its first win in the tournament after securing only two points from the first four matches.
Speaking ahead of the match, goalkeeper Marcin Bulka acknowledged the stakes but downplayed the notion of desperation.
“This is not the last chance match,” Bulka said at a press conference. “Of course, it is a very important match, and a victory would mean more now than at the beginning of the competition.”
The inclusion of untested players adds a layer of unpredictability to Nice’s strategy as they attempt to keep their hopes alive in the competition.
The team will rely on a mix of experienced campaigners and youthful energy to counter a Rangers side eager to secure their own progress in the tournament.
OGC Nice Squad for Europa League Match Against Rangers:
Goalkeepers: Boulhendi, Bulka, Dupé
Defenders: Abdelmonem, Bard, Everton Pereira, Montero, Nandjou, Salhi
Midfielders: Boudaoui, Camara, Ndayishimiye, Louchet, Ndombele, Rosario
Forwards: Bouanani, Bousnina, Cho, Guessand, Laborde, Moukoko
With their Europa League campaign hanging in the balance, all eyes will be on whether Haise’s young additions can rise to the occasion and help Nice deliver a performance worthy of the European stage.
The match kicks off at 9 p.m. local time.
