Strasbourg will find out this Friday (2pm) their opponent for the round of 16 between Fiorentina and Rijeka in the first phase of the Conference League. Avoiding the Italian club would seem wise for several reasons.
An intense day for Strasbourg. Before a clash at the Meinau this Friday (8:45 pm) against RC Lens in a match for the 24th day of Ligue 1, the Alsace club will later in the day (2pm) know their opponent for the round of 16 of the Conference League.
Finishing first after the six matches of the league phase, Strasbourg has only two possibilities for the round of 16: Fiorentina or Rijeka. On paper, it would probably be more interesting to face the Croatian club to enter a part of the table that seems more accessible.
Avoiding a potential quarter-final against Crystal Palace
In difficulty in Serie A, only 16th, Fiorentina has recent experience in the Conference League, with two finals played and lost in 2023 and 2024. If Strasbourg qualifies against Fiorentina, they could then meet Crystal Palace, Mainz, or AEK Larnaca in the quarter-finals. If Racing had a prestigious success at home against the Eagles on November 27, it would be best to avoid facing a team that won the FA Cup and the Community Shield in 2025.
Third in the Croatian championship and reigning champion, Rijeka appears as a more attractive option for Strasbourg in the round of 16. Especially since the potential quarter-finals also seem within reach with three potential opponents between Sigma Olomouc, AEK Larnaca, or Mainz.
