UEL Preview: OL Begin Life Without Pierre Sage as Nice Aim to Play Spoiler

Olympique Lyonnais vs. Ludogorets

Lyon currently sit in the top eight with 14 points, putting them in position for automatic qualification to the next phase of the Europa League. OL control their fate—if they beat Ludogorets, they’ll stay in the top eight, but a loss or draw could see Les Gones fall out.

This will be Lyon’s first match since parting ways with manager Pierre Sage, so the team will need to push through that change, especially with so much at stake in this game.

Despite the managerial change, OL are on a strong run in the Europa League, going unbeaten in their last four matches with two wins and two draws. Ahead of the game against Ludogorets, Georges Mikautadze addressed the media in his press conference and shared how the team is coping with Sage's departure.

"Of course, his departure affects us. What the coach did last year was remarkable. He played a major role in our comeback and our qualification for the Europa League. We're trying to prepare as we do for other matches, even though our coach has been dismissed. We have to put that aside. We are professional players, decisions have been made, and we have to move forward. Tomorrow, we need to win to qualify for the Round of 16."

Back to training! 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/oAaoFo4Dd4
— Olympique Lyonnais 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@OL_English) January 28, 2025

With Sage now gone, interim manager Jorge Maciel will take charge of Lyon against Ludogorets, marking his first match in the role. The Portuguese coach discussed his preparations with the squad, emphasizing the need to set aside the coaching situation and focus on securing automatic qualification.

"It's the first match, but what matters most isn't what it means to me—it's what it means for the team. The main goal is securing a spot in the round of 16. Football is never easy; we have to adapt and stay flexible. We've worked with a highly professional staff, and I think the preparation has been serious and thorough. Our aim is to create the best conditions for the players to go out and win this game."

Nice vs. FK Bodø/Glimt

Franck Haise and his team have been knocked out of the competition, but they’ll look to finish their campaign strong and play the role of spoiler. FK Bodø/Glimt are just outside the top eight with 13 points and need a win against Le Gym, along with some favorable results, to keep their chances of automatically qualifying for the next phase alive.

Nice can spoil the Norwegian club’s hopes and grab a crucial win to build momentum for the rest of their season. They’re currently in the Coupe de France Round of 16 and fighting for an automatic spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.