Ibrahim Maza faces OM and OL: Bayer Leverkusen drawn with two French clubs in Europa League

Bayer Leverkusen will face Olympique de Marseille and Olympique Lyonnais during the Europa League league phase following Friday’s draw. Both French clubs were in pot 1, and the Ruhr club, managed by Carles Martinez Novell — former Toulouse coach — drew them both.

For Algerian supporters, this fixture list holds special significance. Ibrahim Maza, 20, has established himself as one of the rising stars of the national team in recent months. Present at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco last winter and the 2026 World Cup in North America, the attacking midfielder was named man of the match in Algeria’s 2-1 victory over Jordan on June 23 in San Francisco. His admirers have nicknamed him « Mazadona ».

Born in Berlin and developed at Hertha, Maza joined Leverkusen last year for €12 million. His first full Bundesliga season concluded with 44 matches across all competitions, 5 goals and 7 assists — figures that confirm his status as a major player at the German champions.

Leverkusen will also face Salzburg, Dinamo Zagreb, Celje, Lech Poznan, Besiktas and OFI Crete in this league phase. Lyon, for its part, was just eliminated from the Champions League play-offs by Fenerbahçe.

Around Maza, Martinez Novell has a strong squad: French international centre-back Loïc Badé, Spanish full-back Lucas Vazquez, American midfielder Malik Tillman, Czech striker Patrik Schick, and Argentine defender Facundo Medina, who will face OM again. Martin Terrier is reportedly set to leave and could return to Ligue 1.