Two French sides, two paths, the same buzz
The Champions League had barely shut its doors when the Europa League slid into view. Plastic balls. Tense faces. Quick sums. After the draw one thing is clear: two French clubs are heading to the last 16.
LOSC Lille and Lyon will be there. Different stories, opposite momentum, one goal: to stretch their European spring a little longer.
Lille vs the Villans — a score to settle
They looked shaky after that home loss to Red Star Belgrade. Then they went and roared at the Marakana. Qualification ripped out in extra time, 2-0 away. A mini upset, sure. More importantly, a psychological hurdle cleared.
For the first time in their history Lille overturned a European tie after losing the first leg at home. That’s the kind of moment that builds a team.
The draw now pitches them against Aston Villa. Back to England, with raw memories of a savage Conference League exit to Unai Emery’s Villans and an Emiliano Martínez who was on fire.
Villa sit third in the Premier League and are among the favourites. It’ll be intense. Physical. Demanding.
And in this section of the draw the winner could meet the victors of Bologna FC 1909 vs AS Roma in the quarters. In short: the road’s steep.
Lyon draw Celta — a more open route
While Lille will sweat in England, Lyon might’ve drawn the luckier slip.
Lyon will face Celta Vigo. Celta finished 16th in the opening phase but they’re still competitive in La Liga and sit up the table.
Edge to Lyon. They host the return on March 19 after the first leg on the 12th. Crucially, their side of the bracket looks more forgiving.
Win and they could meet KRC Genk or SC Freiburg in the quarters. Then possibly a semi against Sporting Braga, Ferencváros, Panathinaikos or Real Betis.
On paper the path looks clearer. On the pitch, nothing’s written yet.
The full draw — big tests, bigger dreams
Here are the last-16 ties:
Genk – Freiburg
Bologna – AS Roma
Ferencváros – Braga
Stuttgart – Porto
Panathinaikos – Betis
Nottingham Forest – Midtjylland
Celta – Lyon
LOSC – Aston Villa
🚨🚨 OFFICIAL! THE EUROPA LEAGUE ROUND-OF-16 DRAW IS OUT! 🟠⚫️ pic.twitter.com/2yiJKJDC7f
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) February 27, 2026
Potential quarter-final ties:
Q1: Celta or Lyon – Genk or Freiburg
Q2: Braga or Ferencváros – Panathinaikos or Betis
Q3: Nottingham Forest or Midtjylland – Stuttgart or Porto
Q4: Bologna or Roma – LOSC or Aston Villa
Potential semi-finals:
Winner Q1 – Winner Q2
Winner Q3 – Winner Q4
Everyone’s already drawing routes, mapping scenarios, doing the maths. But Europe boils down to something simple. Two games. Two nights. Two wars.
Lille want to prove they’ve stepped up a level.
Lyon want to show their top spot wasn’t a fluke.
March’s coming. Europe’s coming too.
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