Europa Previews: Stick or twist for Ligue 1
After a decisive win by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, now it's the turn of the other three Ligue 1 McDonald's sides still involved in Europe to seal their own places in the quarterfinals -- get the latest on Lyon, Lille and Strasbourg ahead of their matches tomorrow.
Europa League: Olympique Lyonnais vs Celta Vigo, 18:45
Despite playing for more than half an hour against ten men, Lyon barely scraped a draw away to a battling Celta side last weekend, returning from Galicia after a one-all draw. Endrick, as he has been so often since arriving, proved the difference, and will likely be asked to repeat that feat, with Lyon still missing several key players. Having struggled against another ten-man side, Le Havre, in Ligue 1 McDonald's at the weekend, Lyon will have to find their scoring touch, and will no doubt receive a boost with the news that Malick Fofana and Pavel Šulc are both fit enough to be included in the squad, if not feature from the off.
Our squad for the return match against Celta 👊🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/LuaLJHyS05
— Olympique Lyonnais 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@OL_English) March 18, 2026
Europa League: Aston Villa vs LOSC, 21:00
As for Ligue 1's other remaining Europa League participant, Lille will look to draw on their comeback win in the previous round, where they similarly took a 1-0 deficit on the road and emerged winners thanks to a 2-0 away victory. Villa are a far sterner opponent than Red Star Belgrade, but the Birmingham side -- like Lille themselves -- are chasing a Champions League place and could find their focus elsewhere. Captain Benjamin André will be a big miss, but Bruno Génésio can still call on veterans like Olivier Giroud and Chancel Mbemba to turn the tide at Villa Park.
Thank you for the support tonight 👏
We'll give it our all to turn the tables in the second leg 😤#LOSCAVFC pic.twitter.com/klPnVZfZ8v— LOSC (@LOSC_EN) March 12, 2026
Conference League: RC Strasbourg vs HK Rijeka, 21:00
The one Ligue 1 McDonald's side who do enter their second leg with an advantage, Strasbourg will hosts Croatian side Rijeka after a 2-1 away win. Racing were irresistible in the match's first half, but the Croatians proved dangerous on the counter as well, and gave Gary O'Neil's young side plenty of difficulty. For this encounter at La Meinau, that youth will be further tested, as two of the team's most experienced players -- Ben Chilwell and Guéla Doué -- will miss out through injury and suspension respectively, while the hugely influential Diego Moreira also won't be risked. After a somewhat makeshift side, with Lucas Høgsberg playing at right back -- failed to break down Auxerre at the weekend, Racing will have to show their character to advance.
