Lens, Marseille, Rennes and Toulouse have the heavy responsibility of contributing to 100% of French clubs in the European Cup this season.
At the end of a disappointing first opposition for the latter, the time has come for revolt or free fall.
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Schedule and results Europa League
Schedule and results Europa League Conference
Mission Impossible at Roazhon Park
After losing heavily on the San Siro pitch (3-0), Stade Rennais will need some extra spirit in order to create a feat against AC Milan.
Stefano Pioli's men have just fallen against Monza (4-2) and therefore seem more attainable than in the first match where they came out of 5 games without the slightest setback.
With an attack in great shape, Julien Stéphan's players have not lost a match in 2024 (apart from the first leg against Milan).
The Bretons seem to have all the weapons to overcome this gap.
Martin Terrier should be accompanied by Arnaud Kalimuendo (10 goals) or Amine Gouiri (7 goals) Thursday evening on the pitch at Roazhon Park at kick-off.
AC Milan as opponent, at home and condemned to the feat to continue its European adventure: all the ingredients are there to have a great evening in Rennes.
Whatever the result, the Rennes president sees something positive in it.
“We must learn from our mistakes, clearly identify what is missing.
And whatever happens tomorrow, Milan will be an additional useful experience for the future of the club.
There are lessons to be learned from this,” declared
Olivier Cloarec in the columns of
Ouest-France.
Toulouse wants to make the Stadium vibrate
After a frustrating defeat (2-1) in the first leg at the Estadio da Luz in Benfica, the Toulouse residents want to believe in an achievement.
Full of confidence following their major success on the Monaco pitch (1-2) last weekend, Carles Martinez Novell's players
“regained confidence before a big shock”,
declared the latter.
While in the championship the Violets are struggling to gain any real distance from the red zone, this European adventure would be a great opportunity for Téfécé, to thrill less than a year after its coronation in the Coupe de France.
Mikkel Desler has the ball in front of Rafa during Benfica-Toulouse on February 15, 2023. PEDRO NUNES / REUTERS
At the head of this team or at least the attack, Thijs Dallinga presents himself as the providential man for a challenge of this size.
Author of 18 goals last season, the Dutchman has already reached 12 (including 4 in the Europa League) with 3 assists.
The Benfica Eagles, on the strength of a 6-1 success against Vizela on Sunday, will rely on their nugget in the middle, João Neves, and the indestructible Angel Di Maria, author of a double from the penalty spot in the first leg.
Lens must move forward
Hanging in Reims on Sunday, the Sang et Or hope to regain good momentum during this European meeting.
After a first opposition which ended in a draw in Friborg (0-0), Franck Haise's players must find the net again.
Deprived of Kevin Danso (suspended), the Lensois coach should remain on a hinge with 3 defenders by aligning the young Abdukodir Khusanov (19 years old), convincing at Auguste-Delaune on Sunday.
Following the disillusionment with the big-eared cut, the RCL must bet everything on the C3.
Still in the race for first places in the league, Lens needs to reassure itself before the end of the season.
A hitch in Germany would undoubtedly dampen the morale of an entire group which does not want to set limits.
Faced with a Friborg team which has only one success in its last eight meetings, the Northerners must be more convincing than at Bollaert.
While he has the heavy responsibility of replacing Loïs Openda, who is now on fire at Leipzig, Elye Wahi (5 goals in 24 matches in all competitions) would be well advised to silence the criticism concerning the price of his transfer (€35 million). euros).
The Vélodrome is ready to explode
Olympique de Marseille is at the heart of the turmoil.
Whether on the field or off, the Marseille club cannot escape the fog.
Newly inducted onto the bench, Jean-Louis Gasset is aware of the challenge he faces.
In a Vélodrome ready to explode, the players will have to show a completely different face than in the last matches.
Hooked at the very end of the match by a valiant Shakhtar Donetsk team (2-2), the Marseillais are able to qualify in order to see the round of 16, at least on paper.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with OM against Shakhtar Donetsk on February 15, 2023. FABIAN BIMMER / AFP
But still without success for more than two months, except against Thionville (N3) in the Coupe de France, do the Olympians have the mental capacity to put an end to this dark series?
Gasset is convinced of this and he intends to rely on his executives.
“
There must be people who take leadership, people who take those who doubt a little higher, and it snowballs
,” he encouraged Tuesday.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (15 goals, 7 assists) must lead this Marseille attack which (too) often shows a lack of realism, which has cost him dearly since the start of the season.
These confrontations are great opportunities to shine for these clubs but also for French football.
If all 4 teams were to qualify, France would do well in the UEFA rankings, but otherwise it would drop significantly.
Lens, Rennes and Toulouse will play their return match on Thursday at 6:45 p.m., while OM will play at 9 p.m.
These meetings will be commented live on the
Figaro
website .