On January 30, 2025, OGC Nice regrettably concluded its UEFA Europa League campaign with a 1-1 draw against Bodo/Glimt at the Allianz Riviera. The match, which drew the season's lowest attendance with fewer than 4,500 fans, showcased the struggles of the French side, which finished just above last place after failing to win any of its group matches.
The night began with high hopes for Nice, who were eager to salvage some dignity after being eliminated from the competition earlier. Unfortunately for the home team, their performance did not live up to expectations. Bodo/Glimt struck first when their defender Fredrik Bjorkan capitalized on defensive lapses to score with precision from close range just after the second half kicked off at the 54-minute mark.
Nice did not let the setback deter them, as the urgency began to show. With only about fifteen minutes left on the clock, Badredine Bouanani brought the home crowd back to life, equalizing the score with a well-timed shot from the edge of the box after receiving the ball from Gaëtan Laborde's assist. Bouanani's goal was his third of the season across all competitions, marking him as one of the few bright spots for Nice this term.
Despite the draw, the match reflected the broader trends of Nice's sad Europa League performance this season—with six losses and three draws across their group matches. OGC Nice finished 35th out of 36 teams, just above Qarabag, who ended last.
Attendance at the Allianz Riviera was emblematic of the season's woes. The match's low stakes coincided with severe weather warnings, which kept many fans at home. Foot traffic at the venue resulted was dramatically reduced, and the lively atmosphere typical of European fixtures was replaced by one of disappointment and resignation. L'Équipe reported the meager turnout was one of the lowest since the stadium opened in 2013.
After the match, Coach Franck Haise acknowledged the need for improvement, emphasizing the mental aspect of the game moving forward. He noted the importance of developing young talents, especially with players like Bouanani showing promise. "It's been a challenging campaign for us, but we'll learn and come back stronger next season," he stated. Fans shared similar sentiments, reflecting on the disappointing season yet expressing hope for future developments.
Bodo/Glimt, by drawing the match, secured their place for the playoffs and left the Allianz Riviera pleased with their performance. The team is expected to build on their solid European outing, having finished 9th with 13 points, just edging away from the playoff spots.
With the Europa League behind them, OGC Nice must now regroup as they turn their focus back to domestic competitions. They will face Toulouse for the Ligue 1 schedule prior to participating in the Coupe de France match against Stade Briochin. The upcoming challenges will be pivotal for Nice as they seek to restore their reputation and recover from this difficult season.
Overall, the match encapsulated the challenges faced by Nice this season and left many questions about the future of the club and its ambitions. Fans and management alike face the tough task of picking up the pieces and rebuilding for the road ahead.