Romain Rouillard with AFP / Photo credit: Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
The draw for the Europa League play-offs took place this Monday in Nyon, Switzerland. Stade Rennais, Olympique de Marseille, Toulouse and RC Lens now know the opponents they will have to beat to reach the round of 16. The meetings will take place on February 15 and 22.
The opponents of the French clubs in the Europa League play-off are known. The draw took place this Monday morning at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, following the draw for the knockout stages of the Champions League. The most difficult opposition to negotiate will be Stade Rennais, who will face AC Milan, semi-finalist of the Champions League last season. The operation will not be easy either for Toulouse which inherits Benfica Lisbon.
A (slightly) more lenient draw for RC Lens, returned to C3 after its very honorable campaign in the Champions League. The Sang et Or will challenge the Germans from Fribourg, currently 6th in the Bundesliga and who had tormented FC Nantes during the previous edition of the Europa League (2-0 victory at home then 4-0 at Beaujoire).
A confrontation as affordable as it is tricky for OM
Olympique de Marseille, second in their C3 group after their defeat at Brighton on the final day (1-0), also avoided the worst. Gennaro Gattuso’s men will face the Ukrainians of Shakhtar Donetsk, whose home matches are relocated to Poland, due to the Russian invasion. Which did not prevent them from achieving a prestigious victory against FC Barcelona during the group stages of the Champions League (1-0).
Knockout round play-off ties are set! #UELdraw || #UELpic.twitter.com/jRDSob63rz
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) December 18, 2023
In the other confrontations, Feyenoord Rotterdam will face AS Roma, Young Boys Berne against Sporting Portugal, Braga against Qarabag and Galatasaray against Sparta Prague. The final will take place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on May 22, 2024. Last season, it was Sevilla FC who triumphed, beating AS Roma on penalties.