Eliminated from the Coupe de France, without a victory in the league for almost two months, Olympique de Marseille is going through a more than delicate period at the start of 2024. This Thursday, Gennaro Gattuso's men travel to Hamburg, war in Ukraine obliges, to face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League play-off.
Defeated 1-0 by Brighton in their last match of the group stage, the Olympians finished in second place in their group ahead of Ajax Amsterdam and AEK Athens, which forces them to go through these play-offs.
They will face Ukrainians transferred to C3 after their third place in the group stage of the Champions League, behind Barça and Porto.
The last time the Marseillais passed the Europa League groups, they finished in the final of the competition.
It was against Atlético Madrid in 2018 (0-3 defeat).
Last year, at the same stage of the competition, Stade Rennais already faced Shakhtar and were eliminated on penalties after both matches.
For its part, Olympique de Marseille finished last in their Champions League group after a last-minute defeat against Tottenham.
The round of 32 of the Europa League between Shakhtar Donetsk and Olympique de Marseille can be followed this Thursday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m. on RMC Sport 1.