Despite a strong first half, OGC Nice, reduced to 10 men in the 38th minute after Jonathan Clauss was sent off, lost 2-1 to Celta Vigo on Thursday in the Europa League. Mohamed-Ali Cho scored the only goal for Nice.

Another frustrating evening for Le Gym in the Europa League, beaten for the third time in three league phase games, all by the same score (2-1). However, even more so than against Roma and Fenerbahçe, Franck Haise's men looked capable of leaving Galicia with all three points.

CHO GOT THE AIGLONS BACK ON TRACK

The match got off to a bad start, with Iago Aspas opening the scoring after just two minutes with a brilliant left-footed half-volley from the edge of the box, but Melvin Bard and his teammates were quick to respond. Unlike in their previous two European matches, Le Gym did not seem rattled by this moment of genius from the local hero. Better in their duels and more enterprising with the ball at their feet, the Côte d'Azur side fought back. They deservedly drew level thanks to Mohamed-Ali Cho's first goal of the season. The 21-year-old forward took advantage of a clever run by Kevin Carlos to get in behind the defence and, stretching, latched onto Salis Abdul Samed's fine pass to finish (1-1, 16').

Back level, the Aiglons dominated the rest of the first half, coming close to going ahead just seven minutes after the equaliser. Jonathan Clauss sent in a superb free kick from the left wing to Ali Abdi, who was unmarked in the Galician box. But the Tunisian international shot straight at Radu, who was well positioned to save Celta (23'). Just when everything seemed to be going well, the match took a turn shortly before half-time. After receiving two yellow cards, Clauss was sent off by Sander Van der Eijk, the Dutch referee (38').

A LONG RESISTANCE... IN VAIN

Down to ten men, the Rouge et Noir drew inspiration from their fine team performance in Monaco before the international break to try and hold firm against Celta's repeated attacks in the second half. Carl Starfelt had a goal disallowed for offside (50'), Borja Iglesias hit the post (61'), Ali Abdi made a clearance off the line (63’) ... The chances rained down on Yéhvann Diouf's goal, who was finally beaten by a pinball-like sequence. Iglesias was played through and attempted a shot that the Nice goalkeeper parried onto the unfortunate Kojo Peprah Oppong, with Juma Bah unable to clear the ball before it reached the net (2-1, 75').

A goal that perfectly symbolised the Aiglons' lack of luck during this match, in which nothing seemed to go their way. Despite attempts at the end of the match, the score remained unchanged.

OGC Nice will host Freiburg at the Allianz Riviera on 6 November (6.45pm) on Matchday 4 of the Europa League. Before that, they will travel to Rennes on Sunday in Ligue 1 (Matchday 9 - 5:15pm), host Lille (Matchday 10 - Wednesday 29 October at 7pm), then travel to Paris (Saturday 1 November at 5pm).

Hugo Rondet