Lyon, Marseille, and Rennes Take Different Routes as Europa League Kicks Off

This week marks the beginning of the Europa League journey for Lyon, Marseille, and Rennes, each facing distinct challenges. Lyon is set to host Anderlecht on Wednesday at 21:00, Marseille will travel to face Besiktas on Thursday at 21:00, while Rennes meet Sturm Graz.

Marseille's Difficult Trip to Türkiye

Marseille enters their match with a diminished sense of confidence following a strong 4-0 victory over Strasbourg at the start of the season. The summer saw a significant squad overhaul aimed at boosting finances, leaving the team lighter. Recent struggles are clear with three straight losses in Ligue 1, including a narrow 3-2 defeat against Paris FC at the Vélodrome. The upcoming fixtures are demanding, with a clash against Paris SG looming just days after their encounter with Besiktas, followed by matches against Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiakos, and Celtic Glasgow.

Lyon's Europa League Challenges

Lyon took a different route after falling short in the play-off against Fenerbahçe, dropping into the Europa League instead of the more lucrative Champions League. This setback comes amid ongoing financial scrutiny from the DNCG. The match against Anderlecht offers Lyon a chance to bounce back and maybe show signs of competitiveness in this tournament. Domestically, Lyon sits fifth but still looks for consistency, having drawn 0-0 with Paris FC recently in an unconvincing performance.

Rennes Look Ready to Impress

Unlike their counterparts, Rennes appear in strong form, sharing the top spot in Ligue 1 with three wins and a draw so far. Their last deep run in Europe was over two years ago, when they were eliminated in the round of 16 by AC Milan in February 2024. Without ever reaching a European quarter-final, Rennes need a solid start against Sturm Graz to build momentum.

Europa League Opening Matches Schedule

• Lyon vs Anderlecht: Wednesday, 21:00
• Marseille vs Besiktas: Thursday, 21:00
• Rennes vs Sturm Graz: Date and time unspecified

Domestic League Standing Snapshot

• Lyon: 5th place in Ligue 1
• Marseille: Struggling with three consecutive Ligue 1 defeats
• Rennes: Co-leaders of Ligue 1

Source: Le Progres