Olympique Lyonnais can breathe.
But not too much either.
The only French club qualified for the quarter-finals, the team led by Jean-Michel Aulas inherited West Ham United during the draw organized in Nyon on Friday afternoon.
Les Gones have thus avoided the Barcelona "ogre", which has returned to a very good level since Xavi Hernández took office, as well as Atalanta Bergamo, always difficult to face due to the intensity that the Dea puts in his matches, and the RB Leipzig of the new French international Christopher Nkunku.
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Calendar and results Europa League
West Ham, a draw that remains complicated
However, we must absolutely not underestimate the Hammers who have in their workforce two French and two international tricolors with Alphonse Aréola and Kurt Zouma, not retained by Didier Deschamps for the next rally.
The training led by David Moyes, carried among others by the excellent Declan Rice in midfield, is a formidable team, still in the race to finish in the first four places of the Premier League and thus qualify for the next edition of the Champions League.
Peter Bosz's men will have to put the same application as against FC Porto, the same intensity, the same commitment to get rid of the London club.
Towards an OL-Barça semi-final?
In addition, a very good poster is looming for Olympique Lyonnais in the event of qualification against the Hammers.
Indeed, if ever the Rhodaniens were to reach the last four, they could be opposed to FC Barcelona of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Pedri, Busquets and others, if, and only if, the latter manage to qualify against Eintracht Frankfurt.
In the second part of the table, we note the very attractive poster between RB Leipzig and Atalanta Bergamo and an undecided Braga-Rangers.
Quarter-final program (goes on April 7, returns on April 14):
RB Leipzig (GER) - Atalanta Bergamo (ITA)
Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) - FC Barcelona (ESP)
West Ham (ENG) -
Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)
SC Braga (POR) - Glasgow Rangers (ECO)
Program of the semi-finals (outwards on April 28, returns on May 5)
RB Leipzig (GER)/Atalanta Bergamo (ITA) - SC Braga (POR)/Glasgow Rangers (ECO)
West Ham (ENG)/
Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)
- Eintracht Frankfurt (GER)/FC Barcelona (ESP)
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