As with the Champions League, the Europa League is presented with a new formula. French clubs have been rather spared.
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![The Europa League trophy during the draw for the 2024-2025 regular phase, in Monaco, on August 30, 2024. (VALERY HACHE / AFP)](https://www.francetvinfo.fr/pictures/BfsUszJHVVGcxvVZ9Jr5CbmJf4E/0x312:6000x3687/432x243/2024/08/30/000-36ex78c-66d1a8de7322c253653570.jpg)
The posters for the French and European clubs for the Europa League are now known. After the Champions League draw for PSG, Monaco, Brest and Lille, it was Nice and Lyon’s turn to find out their opponents, Friday, August 30, for the group stage of the European competition. The draw made by Aritz Aduriz (former Athletic Club Bilbao player) in Monaco, with the help of software, was rather lenient for the Lyonnais.
Pierre Sage’s men have been drawn against Rangers (away) and Eintracht Frankfurt (at home), who came from pot 1. The Rhone club, which is returning to Europe two and a half years after its last match, will also have a perilous trip to Turkey against Fenerbahçe. The Istanbul team, eliminated by Lille in the Champions League play-offs, has experienced players in its ranks such as Edin Dzeko, Dusan Tadic and Frenchman Allan Saint-Maximin. OL will also play against another Turkish club, Besiktas, this time at home.
Lyon will also host Olympiakos. The Greek team created a surprise last season in the Europa Conference League by winning the trophy. The rest of the draw is however more affordable with the Bulgarian team Ludogorets, a match against Qarabag without forgetting a trip to Germany to Hoffenheim.
In last year’s Europa Conference League (C4), the Aiglons climbed a level and will now play in C3. Like Olympique Lyonnais, the Niçois will face the Rangers. Unlike the Rhone team, they will have the opportunity to play against the Scots at home. The Azuréens will also have to travel to Rome to face Lazio (away), 7th in Serie A last season.
Franck Haise’s team will have a lot to do with Real Sociedad, the Spanish team that was eliminated by PSG in the last 16 of the Champions League last season. The match against the Belgian team Union Saint-Gilloise (away) will also be a trap, as will the clash with Twente. Ferencvaros (away), Bodo Glimt (home) and Elfsborg (away) complete the Aiglons’ schedule. Each team will play eight matches between September 25, 2024 and January 30, 2025.