After the elimination of the two French representatives in the Champions League, Paris on March 9 and Lille on Wednesday, there are still four French clubs in contention on the European stage. All play a place in the quarter-finals Thursday March 16, Monaco and Lyon in the Europa League, Marseille and Rennes in the Europa League conference.
FC Bâle-Marseille at 6:45 p.m. on RMC Sport 1
Beware of the Swiss trap. Marseille moves to Basel with a small goal lead after their victory (2-1) in the first leg. The gap should have been much larger as the Phocaeans dominated their opponents.
Far from being offside, the opponent has the advantage of playing at home to conclude their round of 16 Europa League conference. In addition, the Marseille attacking leader, Dimitri Payet, is suspended for this key match. The Olympians will not be able to count on all their supporters either, after the ban decided at the last moment by the Swiss club.
Monaco-Braga at 6:45 p.m. on RMC Story and RMC Sport Live 4
Badly embarked after the logical defeat in Portugal in the first leg (0-2), the Rock club will have to whip if he wants to see the quarter-finals of the Europa League. Disappointing in the league (eighth place), ASM may not see Europe next season.
On paper, Philippe Clement’s team has sufficient arguments to reverse the balance of power. It remains to be seen whether the cogs will fit together properly.
Rennes-Leicester at 6:45 p.m. on RMC Sport 2
Like Monaco, but on the lower level (C4), Rennes must recover from a two-goal deficit against Leicester after losing (2-0) in England a week earlier. The task seems difficult against an opponent accustomed to elbowing with the pack of Premier League leaders.
Bruno Genesio’s team, however, has the opportunity to build on its resounding success in Lyon on Sunday (4-2), which allows it to stay in the race for qualification in the Champions League next season.
Lyon-Porto at 9 p.m. on W9 and Canal+ Sport
We will have to look towards Groupama Stadium for the highlight of the evening for French clubs. OL are in a favorable position against Porto in the Europa League, thanks to the victory (1-0) won in Portugal in the first leg. Generally, Jean-Michel Aulas’ club is present in European competition, as shown by its C1 semi-final in 2019-2020.
A rebound is expected after the stinging defeat at home against Rennes on Sunday (2-4). As Europe moves away in the league (OL is currently 10th in L1), C3 is doubly important.