In a disheartening continuation of their dismal start to the season, OGC Nice faced yet another setback in the UEFA Europa League, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat against Fenerbahce in Istanbul on Thursday night. This result leaves Franck Haise’s squad still searching for their first victory in the current campaign, echoing their struggles from last season when they went winless throughout the Europa League.
The match kicked off with a jolt, as Kerem Akturkoglu seized on a defensive lapse just three minutes in, capitalizing on an abundance of space before striking the ball past goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf. The Nice shot-stopper managed to get a hand on the effort but was unable to divert it away from the net. Things took a turn for the worse for Nice when Akturkoglu struck again in the 23rd minute, benefiting from a significant deflection that left Diouf with no chance to respond.
As the home side surged ahead, it appeared that Nice’s woes would deepen, but they clawed back into the match just before halftime. Kevin Carlos, displaying composure under pressure, converted a penalty after Milan Skriniar was penalized for handling the ball in the box. This moment of hope, however, was fleeting, as Nice failed to find the equalizer in the second half, leaving them with a stark reality: only two wins in their last ten matches across all competitions this season.
The statistics tell a grim story for Nice, a team that is desperate to shake off the dust of past failures and establish their presence on the European stage. With their current form, questions loom over Haise’s ability to turn things around. As the Ligue 1 side grapples with their ongoing struggles, fans are left wondering if this will be yet another season marred by disappointment in the Europa League. The pressure is mounting, and the need for a decisive turnaround has never been more critical.
