OL – Strasbourg : Get back to the top (15h on BeIn Sports 1)
The context
The week that has passed has not been easy for OL. After the big match, a loss away to PSG last Sunday (4-2), Les Gones welcomed OM on Wednesday evening for the quarterfinal of the Coupe de France. The match went well as they qualified by defeating a major opponent (1-0). It was enough to boost the squad's morale with the run-in coming soon. There are 42 points for the taking and Rennes, in 3rd, are already eight points away. Each match therefore becomes a final for OL.
The challenge
The championship's matchdays continue to pass and OL’s competitors for Europe haven't weaken in the least. OM have not lost in the league since October 27, a loss to PSG (4-0). Rennes, although a little less dashing lately, have still managed to find the resources to win in some matches in the opposite scenario. The top three are followed by Lille, who remain on three wins in a row and Montpellier, still a very solid team in the championship. The challenge for OL will be to fight for each point available: the deficit accumulated during the first half of the league will no longer allow them to take a pass on certain matches, under penalty of seeing their chances of the podium become heavily compromised.
The opponent
Thierry Laurey's Strasbourg are currently having a very good season. Sixth on 36 points, they remain on two league wins in a row against Toulouse (0-1) and against a very tricky Reims (3-0). Their overall performance is all the more praiseworthy given that the Alsatians started their season very early because of the play-offs to enter the group stage of the Europa League. In addition, the players who make up the squad are of good quality: among Sels, Djiku, Ajorque, Mothiba, Waris and even Thomasson, there is talent all over the pitch. OL will be aware of this; in the reverse fixture it was difficult for them to win at the Meinau (1-2).
Watch OL-Strasbourg on OLTV and OL Play here
