Gary O’Neil will begin Thursday night’s trip without Diego Moreira and Emanuel Emegha as RC Strasbourg Alsace head to Stadion HNK Rijeka for the first leg of Rijeka Vs Strasbourg. Rijeka arrive after a low goals-against run and victories in the knockout play-offs, while Strasbourg must adapt their attack around absences and short-term substitutions.
Gary O’Neil and Strasbourg’s selection dilemmas
For RC Strasbourg Alsace, the human reality centers on specific absentees. Diego Moreira and Emanuel Emegha are explicitly sidelined for the tie, and both are expected to return in the coming weeks but not before the upcoming international break. Aaron Anselmino remains out with a muscular injury, and Maxi Oyedele is unavailable for selection.
Those absences have altered the predicted XI. Abdoul Ouattara is expected to occupy the right flank ahead of Gessime Yassine, while Joaquin Panichelli will lead the line with Julio Enciso in the No. 10 role. The listed eleven also includes Mike Penders; Ben Chilwell, Ismael Doukouré, Andrew Omobamidele, Guéla Doué; Samir El Mourabet, Valentin Barco; Martial Godo, Julio Enciso, Abdoul Ouattara; Joaquín Panichelli.
Rijeka Vs Strasbourg at Stadion HNK Rijeka: home form and match rhythm
HNK Rijeka’s path to this round under Victor Sanchez del Amo has been shaped by compact defending across the competition. Rijeka recorded a goalless draw with Shakhtar Donetsk, a 3–0 victory over NK Celje and progressed past AC Omonia by winning both legs of that knockout tie. Across eight matches in the tournament, Rijeka conceded just three goals, a figure that frames the expectant atmosphere at Stadion HNK Rijeka for the first leg.
That defensive discipline has been matched by attacking contributors. Toni Fruk is cited as one of Rijeka’s leading scorers, while Dion Drena Beljo and Niko Petrovic have also supplied important goals and creative spark. The combination of low concession numbers and timely attacking output explains why Rijeka will aim to press any advantage in front of their supporters.
Martial Godo, form lines and how absences reshape tactics
Strasbourg’s progression to the round of 16 came after an unbeaten league-phase showing that left them top of their group and exempt from the knockout play-off round. That run has been sustained by attacking returns; Martial Godo has been involved with three goals and two assists in the competition, a concrete measure of Strasbourg’s offensive outlet.
Yet the absence of Moreira and Emegha narrows certain options. The predicted shift — Abdoul Ouattara on the right and a Panichelli-Enciso partnership — suggests Strasbourg will seek positional solutions rather than the missing names themselves. For Rijeka, the tactical imperative is to keep the defensive shape that produced three goals conceded across eight matches while looking for transitions and set-piece chances where Fruk, Beljo or Petrovic can make an impact.
For neutral observers, this remains a two-legged tie with clear, verifiable edges: Rijeka’s low goals-against total and home scheduling at Stadion HNK Rijeka, and Strasbourg’s unbeaten group finish plus Martial Godo’s attacking returns. The immediate human picture is a coach managing absences and a host relying on disciplined defending.
Gary O’Neil will travel without his sidelined players and must rely on the predicted personnel changes for Strasbourg, while Rijeka will seek a positive result on home soil. The next confirmed development is the first leg at Stadion HNK Rijeka on Thursday night, a match that will test how substitutions and tactical adjustments materialize across two matches in the tie.
