Two of the three French clubs entered in C3 will go further than the group stage whatever happens after their victories on Thursday.
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The fifth day of the Europa League group stage rather smiled on the French clubs, undefeated on the evening of November 30. Rennes and Marseille won, respectively against Maccabi Haifa (3-0) and Ajax Amsterdam (4-3), and are sure to finish in one of the first two places in their group. For its part, Toulouse did not give in against Union Saint-Gilloise (0-0). In a good position, the Violets will have to wait until the last day to find out if they will continue their European adventure.
Marseille beats Ajax thanks to Aubameyang hat-trick
A true copy until the denouement, liberating. The clash between OM and the Amsterdam club was set to result, as in the first leg, in a draw with a score of 3-3, but Marseille ended up exulting at the end of a memorable duel (4- 3). Already in sight in the first leg with a double, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left his mark on the evening by scoring a hat-trick, punctuated in particular by an acrobatic return after the locker room and the winning penalty in added time.
Thursday, Marseille never gave up as Ajax equalized three times, responding to each of Marseille’s goals, despite a numerical inferiority conceded from the 63rd minute and the exclusion of Steven Berghuis. OM are now guaranteed to compete in at least the play-offs against the Champions League losers to reach the round of 16. If the Marseille club wants to avoid it and directly qualify, it will have to not lose against Brighton in two weeks. Before the last day, he is one point ahead of the English club.
Rennes stronger than Maccabi Haifa
In an empty stadium, due to the relocation of the meeting to Hamburg (Germany) and not in Israel, Stade Rennes accomplished its mission. Julien Stéphan’s team easily dominated Maccabi Haifa (3-0) and is already assured of continuing its adventure in the Europa League. She will at worst be second in her group and therefore a play-off. It will be necessary to wait to validate the first place (which it currently occupies) to qualify directly for the round of 16.
The Rennais did not have to force their talent. Martin Terrier scored the first goal of his season by opening the scoring (29th). Returning from the locker room, Amine Gouiri made the break (47th). Coming into play, Fabian Rieder added to the score at the very end of the match with a direct free kick (90th + 3). The situation is ideal for the Breton club which only has one match left to play: the reception of Villarreal on December 14.
An unspectacular but not negative draw for Toulouse against Union Saint-Gilloise
The spectators at the Stadium were not as spoiled as those at the Vélodrome on Thursday evening. TFC saw the scoreboard stuck at 0-0 for 90 minutes against Union Saint-Gilloise. This result does not allow the winner of the last Coupe de France to be certain of continuing his European adventure, but it ensures him to take a big step. One day from the end of the group stage, Toulouse is second, behind Liverpool who are guaranteed to finish first, three points ahead of their evening opponent. A draw against the bottom of the group, Linz, will be enough for Téfécé to validate its ticket for the play-offs.
In C4, Lille will at least see the dams as well
No exit from the road for Losc in the Europa Conference League. The Mastiffs logically got the better of Olimpija Ljubljana (2-0), which allows them to keep the lead in their group.
They are guaranteed to at least participate in the play-offs and will have to wait until the last day to hope to directly qualify for the round of 16. Thursday evening, Rémi Cabella (15th) and Yusuf Yazici (76th) scored the goals for the Lille club on a waterlogged pitch, at the edge of the passable area.