We know the poster for the Coupe de France final. It will pit PSG, winner of Stade Rennais (1-0) on Wednesday in the semi-final, against Lyon, winner of Valenciennes (3-0) on Tuesday, May 25, at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq. In addition to the trophy, a place in the Europa League will be at stake. A place that Paris Saint-Germain would not need in the event of qualification (more than likely) for the Champions League. In fact, the Parisians already have one hand on what would be their 12th French champion title, they who are 12 points ahead of their runner-up in the standings… In these conditions, can we already say that the OL, currently 10th in Ligue 1, will be European, even if they lose in the final? No. The finalist of the Coupe de France does not benefit from any continental privileges as may have been the case in the past.
At the end of the season, the first three in L1 will win their ticket for the group stage of the Champions League, the fourth will compete in the C1 play-offs, the fifth will play in the Europa League and the sixth, in the Europa Conference League. In the event of Parisian success in the Coupe de France final, the sixth will recover a place in the Europa League and the seventh, a folding seat in the Europa Conference League. The situation could change significantly in the event of victory of one or more French clubs in their respective European Cup, PSG in C1, OM in C3 and Losc, in C4.
In summary, Pierre Sage’s players have only two options to return to the European scene, which would be a first since the 2021-22 campaign: win the Coupe de France final… or make a spectacular comeback in the league of France. With 36 points on the clock, they are only three points behind seventh place (OM), seven lengths behind sixth (Lens) and eight behind fifth (Nice). As for the top four, and therefore the Champions League, it would take a real feat: Lille (46 pts), Monaco (49) and Brest (50) are already far from Les Gones. Which Gones have not won the slightest title since the 2012 Champions Trophy (against Montpellier), a few months after lifting the Coupe de France (against Quevilly). End of the drought for OL?
