Rennes, Monaco, Nice, Strasbourg, Lens: who will pocket the 30 million euros from the Champions League?
This Ligue 1 season is more exciting than ever. Whether for the top or the bottom of the table, the stakes are major and concern a maximum of clubs.
Indeed, the European places are very coveted, and the noose between the candidates very tight. They are 5 to claim third place (offering a place in qualifying for the next Champions League): Rennes, Strasbourg, Monaco, Nice and Lens. So, who will pocket the 30 million euros reward for this 3rd place? We take stock of the calendars, and above all we are waiting for your opinion below!
Nice and Monaco, the most favorable calendars?
A priori, OGC Nice and AS Monaco have a card to play at the end of the season, if we rely on the calendars of the two teams.
- Indeed, the Aiglons expect a very affordable end to the season where they will face only one member of the top 10 (Lille). On the program, the reception of Troyes (16th), a trip to Bordeaux (19th), the receptions of Saint-Étienne (18th) and Lille (9th), then a trip to Reims (13th) for the last day. Consequently, the Niçois of Christophe Galtier can always keep hope, despite a delicate period (1 victory in the last 6 league games).
- Monaco has a slightly higher end to the season than its neighbors Nice since they will face 2 of the top 10 teams in the standings, while remaining affordable. The Monegasques will start with a trip to Saint-Étienne (18th), before welcoming Angers (14th), then going to Lille (9th), to then welcome Brest (12th) before concluding with a trip to Lens (7th). ). In addition to going through a prolific run, marked by 5 rank victories in the league, the Monegasques can redouble their optimism given their calendar for this end of the season.
For Rennes, Strasbourg and Lens, it will be necessary to fight
We can indeed imagine a more perilous end to the season for Stade Rennais, Strasbourg and Lens if we refer to the calendar of each.
- Stade Rennais is experiencing a little slack following its two consecutive defeats against Monaco and Strasbourg, two teams with similar ambitions to the Breton club. And the Rennais must be ready to fight at the end of the season, since they will face no less than 3 members of the Top 10. Jocelyn Gourvennec’s team will start slowly with the reception of Lorient (15th) the next day, before going to Saint-Étienne (18th). The task will get tougher during the last three meetings, where the Rennais are waiting for a trip to Nantes (10th), before the reception of OM (2nd) to finally conclude the season in Lille (7th).
- Strasbourg remains on 11 consecutive matches without the slightest defeat, but can this series last forever? The Alsatians are having an admirable season, but will have to overcome the obstacle course if they want to achieve the dream of a European place. The 4th in Ligue 1 will have a hard time since they will face 3 of the first 10, including the leader and his runner-up. On the program: a trip to Lille (7th), the reception of PSG (1st), a trip to Brest (12th), the reception of Clermont (17th) in order to end the season in Marseille (2nd). Enough to bring a thrilling end to the championship to their supporters.
- Finally, the Lensois can deserve their place in this list, they who have spent almost the entire season in the first part of the table. The Sangs et Or are seventh, 3 units from third Rennes, and quite logically candidates for a place in the Champions League in the end. But they will have to get their guts out, because an intense schedule awaits them. Starting with a trip to the Parc des Princes to face PSG (1st) the next day, before continuing with the reception of Nantes (10th), a trip to Reims (13th) then to Troyes (16th) before end the season by receiving Monaco (5th).