It is the return to European affairs for LOSC and OGC Nice on Thursday.
Business very well underway for the Northerners, still leaders of their group after their draw (1-1) against AC Milan, which they had crushed in the first leg (0-3) with the hat-trick of Yusuf Yazici.
With two wins and two draws, Lille still have their destiny in hand and a success this Thursday (6:55 p.m.) against Sparta Prague, would bring them one of the two qualifying tickets for the round of 16.
»READ ALSO - LOSC: Yusuf Yazici, the new star of the Mastiffs
On the Nice side, qualification remains possible, but the Azuréens will need a miracle to reach the round of 16.
With three defeats in their first four group matches, the Nice are back to the wall.
They were already before the defeat against Slavia Prague (1-3), they are all the more so this Thursday, at the Allianz Rivieira, against Bayer Leverkusen (21h).
Who'll top Group C?
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- UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) December 1, 2020
In case of victory of the two French clubs
(Classification: LOSC 11 points - Milan 10, 8, or 7 - Sparta 6 - Celtic 4, 2 or 1)
The addition is simple for Mastiffs.
The LOSC would be mathematically qualified with eleven points.
For the first position, in the event of a Milan misstep this Thursday against Celtic Glasgow, Lille would be sure to finish first.
If the Lombard club win, Yazici and company will just have to do as well as the Italian club on the last day to finish leader.
(Ranking Pool C: Slavia Prague 12, 10 or 9 - Leverkusen 9 - Nice 6 - Hapoel Beer Sheva 6, 4 or 3
Of course, mathematically, qualification is still possible.
But to get to the round of 16, it would take a big boost from fate.
Nice will not only have to beat Bayer Leverkusen at least 4-0 next Thursday, then win on Hapoel Beer Sheva next Thursday, but also hope that the German side lose at home to Slavia Prague.
Lots of ifs, isn't it?
In the event of a draw for both teams
(Ranking: LOSC 9 points - Milan 10, 8 or 7 - Sparta Prague 7 - Celtic 1
It all depends on Milan's result against Celtic.
If Stefano Pioli's men beat the Scots, they would double LOSC (10 points against 9) and in this case, a Lille defeat against Celtic on the final day, with a victory for Sparta Prague against Milan, would eliminate the French club (Milan, 10, Sparta 10, Losc 9).
In all other scenarios, the Mastiffs would qualify thanks to the particular goal difference (ahead of Milan and ahead of Sparta).
For first place, Milan should also not win one of the last two games.
(Ranking Pool C: Slavia Prague 12, 10 or 9 - Leverkusen 10 - Nice 4 - Hapoel Beer Sheva 6, 4 or 3
With a draw, OGC Nice would be mathematically eliminated from the Europa League.
"A high-level competition where the lack of experience pays off in cash", explains Patrick Vieira, Nice coach.
Last Thursday, the coach spoke at the end of the match against Slavia Prague (1-3).
“We showed a lot of naivety in the decisive moments.
Even if we showed willingness, we saw the difference between a team that is used to playing the European Cup, and a team with a lot of players who are not used to playing these matches. high level".
In case of defeat for both teams
(Ranking: LOSC 8 points - Milan 10, 8 or 7 - Sparta Prague 9)
This is obviously the worst case scenario for Christophe Galtier's men, which would force them to win in Scotland to qualify (except if Milan lose their last two games, unlikely).
A lot of teams have broken their teeth at Celtic Park, so this is not the case.
If Milan wins this Thursday, only one scenario would allow Lille to finish first: a draw between the Lombard club and Sparta.
(Ranking: Slavia Prague 12, 10 or 9 - Leverkusen 12 - Nice 3 - Hapoel Beer Sheva 6, 4 or 3
In this scenario even more catastrophic than it already is, the Nice should beat the Israeli club during the day to finish… 3rd in the pool.
A very small consolation possible.
Read also
Europa League 2020/2021 standings
