OGC Nice affected by ‘negative pressure’, Franck Haise admits | OneFootball

OGC Nice had put themselves in the mix to secure UEFA Champions League football, thanks to their strong, consistent run of form at the start of 2025. However, there has been a drop-off. A defeat against Olympique Lyonnais was followed up by a draw to AJ Auxerre and then a defeat to AS Monaco last weekend in the Derby de la Côte d’Azur.

Neither Nice nor Franck Haise have ever set themselves the objective of obtaining Champions League qualification. The objective has instead to qualify for any of the European competitions. Le Gym look on course to do that, but having looked settled in third place behind Olympique de Marseille in January and February, results are needed to keep the club within the top four. Lille OSC are behind Le Gym only on goal difference, whilst RC Strasbourg Alsace are just one point further back in sixth.

Nice manager takes off pressure for Champions League qualification

Speaking on Thursday, Haise said that he believes his squad may be being affected by a form of “negative pressure” due to the lofty position that the club came to inherit. “For some, what is at stake has made a mark. We are going forward less quickly, we get out slower, we are taking an extra touch when we should be making one less, we are playing sideways when we should be playing forwards, playing backswards when we should be playing sideways, and that isn’t linked to our quality but mostly to our mentality […] I think that there is a bit of negative pressure,” said Haise.

The Nice manager added, “Do we have to qualify for the Champions League? No. We have to give our best to qualify for it. It isn’t the same thing.” Les Aiglons face FC Nantes on Friday night and will bid to get their season back on track.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle