The fear of heights is felt on the French side.
If this is the first time that four clubs from France are involved in the same European Cup, the first legs were not at all reassuring.
Neither Marseille, nor Lens, nor Rennes, nor Toulouse managed to win during the first act for a record of two draws and two defeats, including a very heavy - and almost crippling - Rennes against AC Milan ( 3-0).
We will have to do much better this Thursday evening to hope to qualify for the round of 16 of the C3, and avoid general disillusionment like last year at the same stage of the competition.
Marseille awaits the “Gasset effect”
After having experienced very eventful recent days, with the departure of Gennaro Gattuso and the arrival of Jean-Louis Gasset at the head of the team, Olympique de Marseille must put their heads back in the right place before facing Shakhtar Donetsk this Thursday (9 p.m.) at the Vélodrome stadium.
In the first leg, the Phocaeans managed to lead twice but were always caught by a Ukrainian team who did not give up, even equalizing in added time (2-2).
If the new OM coach will not be able to rely on Balerdi, suspended, and Rongier, absent for a long time, he will be able to count on the return from injury of Jordan Veretout.
Toulouse full of ambitions
Crucified in the first leg in Lisbon at the end of added time by Angel Di Maria (2-1), author of a double, the TFC will have to reverse the trend at the Stadium, this Thursday evening (6:45 p.m.), and demonstrate the same anger which allowed him to achieve the feat against Liverpool in the group stage (3-2).
The Violets are coming off a convincing victory against Monaco last weekend (1-2), and intend to take advantage of this good form to continue their European odyssey.
“We will do everything to play our football and take the public with us.
It's going to be a special match in a special atmosphere.
Everything is there to create the feat,” declared captain Vincent Sierro at a press conference.
Mission impossible for Rennes
Literally struck by Milan lightning during the first act (3-0), Stade Rennais has nothing left to lose this Thursday evening (6:45 p.m.) on its lawn.
At the press conference, Julien Stéphan appeared relaxed, with a smile on his lips, with the desire to make a splash and make history.
“All the planets will have to be aligned,” he declared realistically.
To do this, the Rouge et Noir will be able to rely on their nugget Désiré Doué, in good shape in recent weeks and decisive in their last victory against Clermont in Ligue 1 (3-1).
Lens must raise its voice
A little disappointing at home against Friborg in the first leg despite the opener denied to Haidara (0-0), Franck Haise's players will have to put in a completely different performance in Germany this Thursday (6:45 p.m.) if they want to claim qualification for the round of 16 of the Europa League.
If Facundo Médina was suspended in the first match, it was Kevin Danso's turn to be suspended in the return match and was missing from the Sang et Or eleven. On the opposing side, Friborg was in crisis and had not won a match on his last seven meetings, enough to give hope to RC Lens.