Lyon draw Celta Vigo in Europa League last 16, avoid Lille | OneFootball

Lyon have been drawn against Celta Vigo in the Europa League last 16, avoiding a domestic tie with Lille. The first leg is in Vigo on 12 March, the return at Groupama Stadium on 19 March.

After Thursday’s play-offs, Lyon knew only two opponents were possible, Lille, who beat Red Star Belgrade, or Celta, who eliminated PAOK. Celta are sixth in La Liga.

Lyon had hoped to dodge Bruno Genesio’s Lille after two Ligue 1 meetings, both 1-0, and a Coupe de France last-16 tie, 2-1. They also faced Betis away in the league phase, their only defeat, 2-0.

"Facing Lille would probably have been more complicated for us. That said, playing Celta Vigo will not be simple either. We are ambitious in this competition," said Matthieu Louis-Jean, Lyon’s technical director, speaking to Canal+.

If Paulo Fonseca’s side qualify, they would meet the winner of Genk v Freiburg in the quarter-finals, then Braga, Panathinaikos, Betis or Ferencvaros in the semi-finals.

Celta, representing the Galician city of Vigo, are Lyon’s ninth Spanish opponent in European competition. They are coached by Claudio Giraldez and led by forwards Iglesias and Aspas.

Source: Le Progres