Three clubs represent France in the Europa League this season: AS Monaco, Stade Rennais and FC Nantes. State of form, objective, chances of qualification… What can they expect?
AS Monaco: a possible favorite for the coronation
The Rock club, eliminated in the round of 16 against Braga last season (2-0, 1-1), hopes this time to achieve a better course. Especially since fate has been rather lenient for Monaco, which avoids big names like Arsenal and Manchester United. But his group remains open and difficult trips are to be expected. Philippe Clément’s men will face the Red Star of Belgrade in its legendary Marakana stadium, the Hungarians of Ferencvaros, who dream of reaching the final scheduled in Budapest, and Trabzonspor, recent champion of Turkey with still boiling supporters.
If the Monegasques have the means to pass the chickens, can they claim the coronation given their state of form? Hard to say. The start of the championship is mixed with only two victories in six days, and especially two big defeats against Troyes (2-4) and Lens (1-4). We must not forget either this painful elimination against PSV Eindhoven (4-3 cumulative score) in qualification for the C1, and which therefore swung the club into the Europa League.
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The only positive points, this good point recovered at the Parc des Princes against PSG (1-1) and this great victory last weekend against Nice (0-1). But in the game, the Monegasques are not flamboyant and in the locker room, tensions are emerging, like Wissam Ben Yedder angry at not having come into play against Paris. See you at the Red Star in Belgrade this Thursday evening for the Monegasques to start their European campaign.
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Stade Rennais: a real outsider
Rennes also inherited a rather favorable draw with Fenerbahçe and its extraordinary atmosphere, Dynamo kyiv in a very particular context and the modest Cypriot club of Larnaca, a newcomer. The Bretons have the weapons to quietly get out of this chicken. In addition, the Rennais are starting their fifth European campaign in a row and therefore come with experience.
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Rennes, like Monaco, has only two successes on the clock in Ligue 1. Bruno Genesio’s men are struggling to find this offensive force so attractive last season. Martin Terrier, Rennes top scorer in 2021-22 (21 goals), is having more difficulty against the cages. The striker has planted only twice since the start of the championship and this is reflected in the offensive animation of the Bretons. Fortunately, Rennes can start their European campaign well with a trip to Larnaca. But Genesio will also have to do without potential holders, since Arnaud Kalimuendo and Jérémy Doku, injured in recent weeks, are still in recovery and rookie Amine Gouiri, sent off in his last match with Nice, is suspended.
FC Nantes: Tom Thumb
Nantes, placed in hat N.4, expected a strong group. But not Manchester United, Arsenal or AS Roma. The Canaries fell with Olympiakos and their star recruit Marcelo, Azerbaijan club Qarabag and current Bundesliga leaders Freiburg. No easy match on the program. Coming out of this pool would already be considered a performance for a club that did not imagine itself in Europe at all, a year and a half ago, when it was fighting to stay in Ligue 1.
The winner of the last Coupe du France is also in difficulty this season: only one victory on the clock, after six days, over the promoted Toulouse (3-1). The Canaries remain on a heavy defeat against PSG (0-3) where they played more than an hour at 10 against 11. Antoine Kombouaré’s players point to a fragile 13th place. But the Nantes coach held out hope after the draw three weeks ago: “We are Tom Thumb. We are going to discover and above all work to create surprises, to get out of the game. […] It’s a draw that gives strength, energy to say there is a shot to play. It puts a little pressure on us.»