Moroccan duo inspire Strasbourg’s historic run to Conference League semi-finals

Moroccan internationals Yassine Guessime and Samir El Mourabet played key roles in a memorable European night as RC Strasbourg thrashed Mainz 05 4-0 to secure a place in the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Trailing 2-0 from the first leg in Germany, Strasbourg delivered a commanding performance at the Stade de la Meinau, overturning the deficit in style to progress with a 4-2 aggregate victory.

Both Moroccan players contributed to a night that will go down in the club’s European history. El Mourabet started in midfield and was instrumental in driving the team’s tempo and control.

His presence helped Strasbourg sustain relentless pressure throughout the contest, even after picking up a yellow card early in the second half.

Guessime, on the other hand, was introduced in the 77th minute, replacing Abdoul Ouattara. Despite limited time on the pitch, he added energy and composure as Strasbourg saw out the closing stages of the match.

The performance marked a complete turnaround from the first leg, with Strasbourg asserting dominance from the opening whistle.

Their intensity left Mainz with little opportunity to respond, as the French side maintained control and never allowed their grip on the game to slip.

The result secures Strasbourg’s first-ever appearance in a European semi-final, underlining the growing impact of the team’s emerging talents.

This latest display builds on a strong run of form for both players under head coach Gary O’Neil. Earlier in April, El Mourabet delivered a standout performance against OGC Nice, scoring once and providing an assist in a 3-1 league victory, while Guessime impressed with his dribbling and physical presence.

Their steady rise has been further highlighted by their recent international recognition, with both players earning their first senior caps for Morocco national team during the March international break in matches against Ecuador and Paraguay.

Guessime, who joined Strasbourg from USL Dunkerque in January, has quickly established himself as an attacking option, while El Mourabet continues to emerge as one of the standout midfielders of the campaign.

Strasbourg will now turn their attention to a semi-final clash against Rayo Vallecano, with the two legs scheduled for April 30 and May 7.