Nice's hopes of Europa League football appear to be over after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bordeaux on Saturday.
Bordeaux essentially ended Nice's slim hopes of securing a Europa League spot after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw on Saturday night. Nice came into the match four points behind their opponents and 10 behind fourth place, knowing that anything but a win would virtually end their chances of catching St Etienne. And while Alexy Bosetti did cancel out Jussie's second-half penalty, the visitors could not find that vital winning goal despite the dismissal of Abdou Traore with four minutes remaining. Bordeaux had the best early chance as Nicolas Maurice-Belay got down the left and supplied a cross for Guillaume Hoarau but the forward volleyed wide. Valentin Eysseric fired in a free-kick which brought a save from home goalkeeper Azbe Jug but Bordeaux continued to have the better of it and an unmarked Jussie volleyed over from six yards when it looked easier to score. Hoarau then teed up Maurice-Belay inside the penalty area but David Ospina was equal to it as the sides went in level at the break. Another Eysseric set-piece brought a save from Jug but it was the home side who took the lead in the 63rd minute. Nampalys Mendy brought down Andre Poko inside the penalty area and Jussie sent Ospina the wrong way with a low finish from the spot. The lead was to last just four minutes, though, as Neal Maupay's cross was punched by Jug but only as far as Bosetti who fired home from close range. Bosetti almost turned provider with 10 minutes remaining as his cross was headed over by Maupay before Traore was given his marching orders after picking up a second booking for a challenge on Bosetti.Euro blow for Nice