Already hardly used to shine in the Europa League, the continental antechamber of the Champions League, French clubs will a priori have a good excuse if they do not manage to do better during the 2021-2022 financial year: that of having had a draw to say the least unfavorable. What was more or less expected for Marseille, placed in a hat 3 which exposed him to many dangers. By inheriting from Lazio Rome, Galatasaray and Lokomotiv Moscow, OM is not far from having inherited the worst triplet possible, even if it will be necessary to see what the Roman formation gives without its striker Joaquin Correa, perfect complement to a motionless Ciro who could find himself a little alone in front. But Lazio have a lot of experience with Pedro, Lucas Leiva,Pepe Reina or Francesco Acerbi, all more than thirty years old experienced in European games.
Second in the Turkish Super League last season, Galatasaray will also be a client to watch with his former Ligue 1 residents such as Sofiane Feghouli or Radamel Falcao, while Lokomotiv Moscow, unbeaten in five days so far in Russia, remains a traditional stronghold, especially before winter. The Marseillais not varnished, the most to be pitied however remain the Monegasques who, in hat 1, could have hoped for a less indigestible menu than to face PSV Eindhoven and Real Sociedad, with to complete the picture the Austrians Sturm Graz, against whom it will imperatively be necessary to stock up on points. Outclassed by Ajax Amsterdam last season in the title race, PSV Eindhoven have admittedly lost one of their main talents this summer, Donyell Malen,gone to Borussia Dortmund, but the Dutch club are known for their ability to produce nuggets every season. As for Real Sociedad, surprising 5th in La Liga last year, it will be advisable to be wary of his attack made up of young Oyarzabal (24) and Isak (21), supported by the still performing David Silva (35) .
For OM and Monaco, leaving their respective groups is not going to be easy. On the other hand, for Lyon, hope is more than allowed. Even if the Glasgow Rangers coached by Steven Gerrard remain an opponent not to be underestimated, the Czechs from Sparta Prague and the Danes from Brondby do not seem to constitute obstacles of a nature to scare the Lyonnais. In any case, for its reunion with the European scene after a year of absence, OL wants to be ambitious, like its president Jean-Michel Aulas who confided in the columns of L'Equipe: “
Even if it he is pretentious, you have to play it to win it. It's the year or never, given our workforce, to impose ourselves.
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