Here are the five things you need to know ahead of Thursday’s UEFA Europa Conference League opener against Cologne at the Allianz Riviera (kick-off 6:45pm CEST).   

TOP SPOT THROUGH, SECOND INTO PLAY-OFF

Only the clubs that finish top of their group will reach the Round of 16 of the competition. The runners-up will face a two-legged play-off against the teams finishing third in their Europa League group in February 2023.

NO GROUP STAGE FOR ROSS BARKLEY

Our new arrival, Ross Barkley (28), won’t be able to play in Le Gym’s first six European games of the season. The England international (33 caps) joined on a free transfer on Monday after the end of the transfer window and the deadline to provide UEFA with the definitive squad for the group stage.

If Le Gym qualify for the knockout stages, the former Everton prodigy would be eligible to play, as UEFA regulations state: “From the play-off round, a club can add three new players who will be eligible for the remaining games in the competition. They must be added before 2 February 2023 (at midnight CET) at the latest.”

LE GYM WILL PLAY IN WHITE ON THURSDAY

OGC Nice will wear their away kit against Cologne. Why? Because – due to logistical issues – when the colours of the two clubs are similar (the German club plays either in red or dark blue), it’s the host team that must adapt, even going as far as to not wear their home shirt while playing at home. Le Gym found themselves in the same position for the visit of Ajax in 2017.

On-line ticket sales only

No tickets will be on sale at the stadium on Thursday (nor at the club’s boutique, 4 place Masséna, as of Wednesday). The club invites fans who still don’t have their tickets to reserve them on-line. For security reasons, fans of FC Köln should approach their club to obtain a ticket in the sector dedicated to them in the Ray Stand or visitors’ section.

NICE – COLOGNE, NOT A FIRST

It won’t be the first time OGC Nice and FC Cologne meet in European competition. The two clubs played each other in the 1972/73 UEFA Cup, the forerunner of the Europa League. The Aiglons won 1-0 at the Stade du Ray thanks to a goal from Leif Eriksson. They were beaten 4-0 in the return however (goals from Dieter Müller, Heinz Flohe with 2, and Hannes Löhr).

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