Rijeka Vs Strasbourg: O’Neil Forced Into Changes as Strasbourg Chase Europa Conference League Edge in Croatia
Rijeka vs strasbourg takes center stage Thursday night (ET) as RC Strasbourg Alsace travel to Stadion HNK Rijeka for the UEFA Europa Conference League round of 16 first leg. Strasbourg, led by manager Gary O’Neil, enter the tie as favorites to advance but face notable absences, while Rijeka arrive with a defensive record that has defined their run. The matchup opens a two-leg battle, with the return fixture scheduled a week later in France.
What’s at stake in Rijeka Vs Strasbourg on Thursday night (ET)
This is the opening leg of a two-match tie with a place in the quarter-finals on the line. Strasbourg reached this stage after finishing top of the league phase and going unbeaten, which allowed them to bypass the knockout play-off round entirely. Rijeka, by contrast, advanced through the knockout play-offs after winning both legs against AC Omonia.
The tie begins in Croatia, where Rijeka will try to seize the initiative before the decisive second leg in France. Strasbourg, described as clear favorites to advance, still expect a demanding night given the home setting and Rijeka’s discipline across the competition.
Team news: Strasbourg absences and a predicted XI
Strasbourg will again be without Diego Moreira and Emanuel Emegha, two key absentees expected back in the coming weeks but not anticipated to return before the upcoming international break. Gary O’Neil also has Aaron Anselmino sidelined with a muscular injury, and Maxi Oyedele remains unavailable.
With Moreira out, Abdoul Ouattara is expected to start on the right ahead of Gessime Yassine. Strasbourg’s predicted XI listed for this match is: Mike Penders; Ben Chilwell, Ismael Doukouré, Andrew Omobamidele, Guéla Doué; Samir El Mourabet, Valentin Barco; Martial Godo, Julio Enciso, Abdoul Ouattara; Joaquín Panichelli.
Strasbourg’s broader European focus has also been framed by their domestic position: Racing are eighth in Ligue 1 McDonald’s, five points back of Lille in sixth, a situation that increases the pressure to make this European run count.
Rijeka’s defensive identity and Strasbourg’s challenge
Rijeka have built their European campaign on resilience and defensive discipline. Despite finishing sixteenth in the league phase, they have conceded just three goals in eight matches in the competition, a record described as the best defense in the tournament.
Rijeka’s run has featured a goalless draw against Shakhtar Donetsk and a 3–0 victory over NK Celje in the league phase, and then a two-leg win over AC Omonia in the knockout play-offs. Under Victor Sanchez del Amo, the Croatian side’s attacking output has included contributions from Toni Fruk, with Dion Drena Beljo and Niko Petrovic also noted for important goals and creativity in the tournament.
For Strasbourg, the tie represents a step up in difficulty after a league phase defined by consistency. Martial Godo has been highlighted as a key attacking threat in the competition, with three goals and two assists, as Strasbourg aim to carry that momentum into the knockout rounds.
Immediate reactions and what comes next
Speaking about the missing personnel, Strasbourg head coach Gary O’Neil has no major returnees available for Thursday night’s match, leaving Strasbourg to rely on the listed options as they try to manage the opening leg away from home.
Strasbourg’s immediate objective will be to navigate the first leg without giving Rijeka’s defense the kind of foothold it has used throughout the tournament. Rijeka, meanwhile, will look to turn their home advantage into a platform for the second leg.
Once the first whistle sounds Thursday night (ET), the shape of the tie will begin to emerge quickly—then everything turns toward the return match in France a week later, where rijeka vs strasbourg will reach its decisive phase.
