Rennes draws the best lot among French clubs in Europa League

Stade Rennais emerged as the big winner from Friday’s Europa League draw, securing the 5th most accessible schedule in the competition according to Football Rankings. The Red and Blacks will face Juventus in Turin, but the bulk of their programme consists of opponents within their reach: Olympiakos, Dinamo Zagreb, Sparta Prague, Omonia Nicosia, Sturm Graz, OFI Crete and Nimegen.

Lyon, by contrast, inherited a significantly more demanding draw — the 8th most difficult in the league phase. Crystal Palace, Bayer Leverkusen, Union Saint-Gilloise and Hoffenheim are among their main obstacles. Marseille are no better off: the Marseille side will face Leverkusen, Olympiakos, Anderlecht, Celtic, Celta Vigo and Besiktas, a programme that leaves little room for error if they hope to finish in the top 8 and avoid the play-offs.

In the Conference League, AS Monaco, the only French representative in the third European competition, was drawn in a group including Brighton, Freiburg, Nordsjaelland, Hearts and Lincoln Red Imps, the Gibraltar club.

These draws came the day after a busy evening for French clubs in the Champions League. PSG inherited Barcelona, Manchester City, Roma, Villarreal and Como. RC Lens, meanwhile, has the 4th most difficult schedule of the 36 participants with Man City, Liverpool, Sporting and Como on the programme. LOSC, which will face Bayern and Arsenal, ranks 9th among the most complicated schedules.