Beaten 2-0 at home by Benfica, OGC Nice compromises its chances of qualifying for the Champions League play-offs

The challenge promised to be tough, and it was. By taking on Benfica Lisbon in this third preliminary round of the Champions League, OGC Nice knew it would be facing a European Cup regular.

And the Portuguese club showed what was expected of them this Wednesday evening at the Allianz Riviera: superiority and control, against the Aiglons who were far too soft (0-2).

While the Gym generally held their own in the first half, the best chances fell to the Lisbon side. Taking advantage of a misunderstanding between the Mendy-Bah duo, Schjeldrup almost caught Diouf out from close range early in the match (6th minute), before Rios slammed home a tricky free-kick that the new Nice goalkeeper was alert to push away with a slapshot (19th minute).

First dangers…

But the Aiglons could have cracked just before half-time: on a cross from Schjeldrup in the six-meter area of the Nice area, Dante threw himself to tackle in front of Pavlidis and Diouf was able to miraculously save the ball to keep his goal clean (39th).

On the offensive side, two strikes from Moffi left a (timid) threat hanging over the Portuguese defense but nothing to really worry Trubin... Complicated, especially since Franck Haise had to do without Morgan Sanson, injured in the thigh and replaced by Tom Louchet (27th), then his captain Dante, injured in the knee and replaced by the rookie Oppong at the start of the second half.

…before cracking

It was at this point that OGC Nice could have paradoxically opened the scoring, following a well-aimed slalom from Clauss followed by a slightly too crushed shot from the French international in the box (50th). But Benfica knew how to press on immediately to open the scoring.

After a nice hook past Melvin Bard, Aursnes dropped a pass into the box. Having passed behind Mendy, Ivanovic put the ball back where it came from to beat Diouf with an unstoppable shot (0-1, 53rd).

The Austrian striker could have even scored a double with a hook-shot combination with his right, but Diouf was once again solid, saving the attempt to his left (62nd minute).

A return match to believe in it

Even though they got their foot back on the ball somewhat later under the encouragement of a Populaire Sud to salute, Boudaoui's teammates never found the solution and logically gave up this first round after the second Portuguese goal scored by Florentino (0-2, 88th).

In just a week, they'll have to raise their voices at the Stade de la Luz if they want to reach the play-offs and still have hope of a Champions League campaign. Given the look on Wednesday evening and the number of injuries in the squad (8 in total), things seem to be in jeopardy...