The group stage of the UEFA Europa League is set to commence for a second season, with each team scheduled to play nine matches on Wednesday, September 24, and Thursday, September 25.
Sierra Leone International Juma Bah will be a key player in defence as two-time runners-up Roma kick off their season against Nice, a team they have never faced in any UEFA tournament before.
This Wednesday, OGC Nice will play its first match in the Europa League at home against AS Roma (kick-off at 9 p.m.). Take a look at images from today’s training session.
Bah, 19, has been a crucial player in Nice’s defence since his loan transfer from Manchester City, participating in every match this season.
On January 27, 2025, Manchester City announced that Bah was registered as a player for the club and revealed that he would be loaned to Ligue 1 team Lens in France. Later that same year, on June 25, he transferred to another Ligue 1 club, Nice, on loan for the 2025–26 season.
The French team has been experiencing mixed results since the start of the new Ligue 1 campaign, having recorded two wins and three losses in their first five matches.
The Italian team, on the other hand, recorded three victories and one loss in their first four Serie A league matches.
Roma (ITA)
How they qualified: Fifth in Italy
Last season: Europa League quarter-finals (L3-4 vs Athletic Club)
Best UEFA Cup/Europa League performance: Runners-up (1990/91, 2022/23)
Nice (FRA)
How they qualified: Champions League third qualifying round
Last season: League phase (35/36)
Best UEFA Cup/Europa League performance: Third round (1972/73)
Wednesday 24 September
All kick-off times 21:00 CET unless stated
PAOK vs M. Tel-Aviv (18:45)
Midtjylland vs Sturm Graz (18:45)
