A look back at the weekend performances of the future opponents of French clubs in the European Cup, including Portugal.
Champions League: Benfica stopped, Sporting full of confidence
Opponent of PSG in the Champions League on Wednesday (9 p.m.), Benfica was held in check on the lawn of Vitoria Guimarães (0-0). A first hitch for the new German coach Roger Schmidt, who had won all his matches since his arrival on the Lisbon bench this summer. With seven wins and a draw in eight league matches, the Lisbon people remain at the top of the standings. Like PSG, they won their first two Champions League games, including a prestigious success in Turin against Juventus (1-2). It will be interesting to see how the fiery attack of PSG, led by the stars of the “MNM”, will behave in front of the very solid defense of Benfica, led by the Argentinian Nicolás Otamendi, and who have conceded only four goals this season.
Read alsoTops / Flops PSG-Nice: Messi shone, Ekitike did not weigh
It was perhaps, on paper, the “weakest” team in the OM group before the start of the Champions League. But Sporting, which travels to the Vélodrome on Tuesday (6:45 p.m.), is in the lead after two successes in two days, the first on the Frankfurt lawn (0-3), the second at home against Tottenham (2-0). On the other hand, it is more laborious in the league since the greens and white only point to 7th place in the standings with four wins, one draw and three losses. Ruben Amorim’s men will nevertheless come to Marseille inflated with confidence after their success on Friday against Gil Vicente (3-1). Despite the loss of three of their best elements this summer (Palhinha, Nunes, Sarabia), they offer an attractive game in 3-4-3 with an attacking trio Pedro Gonçalves-Marcus Edwards-Francisco Trincao in form.
Read alsoChampions League: Marseille will receive Sporting behind closed doors
Europa League: Freiburg (very) in shape
In difficulty in the league after their defeat in Monaco (4-1) on Sunday, FC Nantes will have a lot to do on the lawn of Friborg Thursday (9 p.m.) in the Europa League. The Germans point to a surprising second place in the Bundesliga and have just beaten Mainz at home (2-1). On the European scene, it is faultless for the moment with two victories in two games acquired on the lawn of Olympiakos (0-3) and at home against Qarabag (2-1). For their part, the Monegasques will receive Trabzonspor on Thursday (6:45 p.m.) in the Europa League. The Turkish champions beat Kayserispor on Saturday (1-2) and are in fifth place. Finally, Rennes will aim to retain the lead in Group B against bottom-runners Dynamo kyiv (Thursday, 9 p.m.). In the league, the Ukrainians are not doing well either and are 9th. A sluggish start for a club used to playing at the top of the table. But kyiv remains on two consecutive victories after that on the meadow of FK Mynaï on Sunday (0-1).
Read alsoEuropa League standings
Read alsoEuropa League Conference standings
Europa League Conference: Slovacko revived
Finally, Nice will move on the lawn of FC Slovacko in the Europa League conference. The Czechs are only 10th in the league but have just beaten Zlin (0-2). In the Aiglons group, they produced two spectacular matches as they lost 4-2 in Cologne and drew 3-3 against Partizan.
The program of French clubs in the European Cup:
Champions League
Tuesday at 6.45 p.m.: Marseille-Sporting CP (POR)
Wednesday at 9 p.m.: Benfica (POR)-PSG
Ligue Europa
Thursday at 6.45 p.m.: Monaco-Trabzonspor (TUR)
Thursday at 9 p.m.: Friborg (GER)-Nantes
Thursday at 9 p.m.: Rennes-Dynamo kyiv (UKR)
Europa League Conference
Thursday at 6:45 p.m.: Slovacko (RTC)-Nice