OGC Nice faces Benfica Lisbon this Tuesday for the return of the 3rd preliminary round of the Champions League, after a 0-2 defeat on the way. The Aiglons’ mission is arduous: they must definitely win in Portugal with an advance of at least two goals to hope to qualify for the dams, the last obstacle before any participation in the most prestigious club competition. This qualification is crucial for the team, and it will require exceptional collective performance, given the difficulties encountered during the game-go. The outcome is therefore very uncertain for the team of Franck Haise, who will have to overcome many challenges to achieve this feat.

The Nice team will face numerous absences. Several key players are still physically unavailable, including Youssouf Ndayi, Mohamed Abdelmone, Moïse Bombito and Ali Abdis. In addition, Dantène, also injured, will not be able to secure his place in defence, which is bad news after his captain’s game release. Franck Haise will also have to face Pablo Rosario’s package, who does not want to play the game for fear of getting hurt and compromising his transfer plans. A light at the end of the tunnel could come from Mohamed-Ali Chopou, who resumed collective training and could be available for this shock.

Benfica arrives at this return match with a comfortable lead and the status of great favourite. Coach Bruno Lage, however, remains deprived of several injured players, including Bruma, Alexander Bah and Kerem Aktürkoglu. The Nice team will therefore have to show exceptional determination and quality in order to hope to reverse the situation. The qualification for dams is a major challenge for the club, and the task is expected to be perilous. The meeting, which will begin at 9 p.m., will therefore be a real challenge for the GOC Nice.