We know the French clubs’ next opponents in the Europa League. The draw took place on Friday August 28, announcing a complicated program for Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Olympique Lyonnais (OL), placed in pot 1. Although they escape the two big Italian teams, Juventus Turin and AC Milan, they will have to fight to reach the round of 16. Stade Rennes, for its part, is making its return to the competition by avoiding the English clubs in Tier 2.
The Marseillais, finalists in the competition in 1999, 2004 and 2018, will have to have strong nerves to withstand tough trips, notably on the pitches of Bayer Leverkusen, Celtic Glasgow and Besiktas.
On the other hand, they will have the advantage of hosting the Greeks from Olympiakos, the Belgians from Anderlecht, the Spaniards from Celta Vigo and the Bulgarians from Levski Sofia at the Vélodrome.
All with a much smaller workforce than last year, since the Phocaeans have still not recruited during the summer transfer window and the downsizing operation is perhaps not finished.
“We have a payroll objective. This objective was submitted and validated by the DNCG (National Directorate of Management Control, Editor’s note). As long as you have not arrived close to this objective, you cannot recruit”, admitted the president of Olympique de Marseille Stéphane Richard, who judged the draw “high”.
“On a sporting level, it’s feasible”
Olympique Lyonnais, first in the league phase last year, can also expect a consistent run after missing the Champions League mark in the play-offs against Fenerbahçe on Wednesday.
The Lyonnais will travel to the Spaniards of Real Sociedad, the Belgians of Anderlecht, the Germans of Hoffenheim and the Poles of Jagiellonia, while they will welcome another Belgian club, Union Saint-Gilloise, the Norwegians of Lillestrom and the Germans of Bayer Leverkusen.
OL will also face Crystal Palace at home and will reunite with their former coach Pierre Sage, who took charge of the English team after his departure from Lens in the off-season.
“It will be a special match,” admitted general manager Michael Gerlinger. “On a sporting level, it’s feasible. We could have played another competition but we will play with the same momentum and the same desire. We will try to reach the direct elimination matches,” added the Rhone leader.
Rennes avoids English clubs
For its return to the European level after two years of absence, Stade Rennais can on the contrary breathe. The Bretons will face Juventus Turin in Italy, but apart from the “Old Lady”, they are doing rather well since they will play at home against Olympiakos, Dinamo Zagreb, Omonia Nicosia and OFI Crete and away against Sparta Prague, Sturm Graz and NEC Nijmegen.
“It’s a pleasure to return to the European scene. The draw could have been worse. The ambition will be to do well, the objective will be to get out of the league phase and then we will see our draw”, reacted executive president Arnaud Pouille.
The first day of the Europa League will take place on September 16 and 17 and the final will take place in Frankfurt on May 26, 2027.
In the UEFA Conference League, Monaco will have Brighton and Friborg as their main opponents in the league phase from October 15. The final is scheduled for Istanbul on June 2, 2027.
With AFP
