Europa League: 5 African players, 5 challenges

Logan Costa up against Liverpool's armada

Second in Group E, Toulouse FC travel to Anfield this Thursday, 26 October. It is a daunting trip for the French club, and also for the Cape Verdean defender, Logan Costa. He has the heavy task of stopping the attackers of the Reds, including Mohamed Salah, who has been sparkling since the start of the season (10 goals, 8 assists in all competitions). The Egyptian has one goal and one assist in the competition. He will certainly want to boost his stats against the Toulouse side. With Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota and the return of Cody Gakpo, it looks like a near-impossible mission for the 22-year-old Cape Verdean. He will have to battle hard to help his team come away with a positive result.

Nayef Aguerd-Ayoub El Kaabi: one Moroccan to stop another

Nayef Aguerd will face his compatriot, Ayoub El Kaabi, in the clash between Olympiakos and West Ham. The Moroccan defender must keep a close eye on the Greek side's striker to avoid suffering the same fate as against Aston Villa (a 4-1 defeat for West Ham) on Sunday 22 October. El Kaabi is in incredible form at the start of the season. The Atlas Lion, who arrived this summer from Al-Sadd SC (Qatar), has already made his mark with 9 goals in all competitions, including 4 in the Europa League. That is a warning for the West Ham defender. Olympiakos, meanwhile, are 3rd with just one point. The Greek club will certainly want to bounce back against the English side. To do that, they could count on their talisman in front of goal.

Read on the same subject: Europa League: Franck Magri, Anfield to shine

Jean-Thierry Lazare, LASK to kick-start the season?

A striker for Union Saint-Gilloise, the Ivorian international is struggling to open his goal account this season. The Elephant has played 14 matches in all competitions for the Belgian club but has still not scored. He does contribute assists. Against the Austrians, he will have another chance to score and free himself up, and also to lift his side, who have only one point. The Belgians are behind Liverpool (1st, 6 points) and Toulouse FC (2nd, 4 points). Those two teams meet in the group's other match. Jean-Thierry Lazare could put his team back on track by scoring against LASK.

Amine Gouiri, keeping Rennes in the hunt

Stade Rennais (3rd) and Amine Gouri travel to Greece to take on Panathinaikos, the leaders of Group F. The Algerian striker must make sure his side stay in the hunt to keep their chances of reaching the next round alive. Rennes are level on points with Villarreal, but a defeat against the Greeks could complicate matters. On top of that, the French club are on 3 straight defeats in all competitions. The Fennec, not yet fully up and running (only two goals in 11 matches), will again be looked to for this game. He could also open his account in the competition this season.

Read on the same subject: Ousmane Diomandé's good performance with Sporting

Chancel Mbemba to stop the bleeding at Marseille

Olympique de Marseille face AEK Athens on matchday 3 of the Europa League. After a win in Ligue 1 against Le Havre (3-0), OM lost again in the following round against OGC Nice (1-0). It was the 13th goal the Marseille club have conceded in their last 6 outings. Against the Greeks, Marseille will need a strong presence from Chancel Mbemba. The Congolese defender, who has scored one goal in the competition this season, has his work cut out to contain the Greek club. AEK Athens FC are currently 3rd in the Super League.

𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟯 🔜

*Following a decision by the UEFA Executive Committee, Villarreal vs Maccabi Haifa has been postponed to Wednesday 6 December 2023.#UEL pic.twitter.com/NPl9eF6Doc

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) October 26, 2023