By Florian Brassart
Published on 29 Mar 21 @ 12:11 pm
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The race to Europe rages in League 1 as the clubs attack the home stretch of the championship. There are eight matches to go in this 2020-2021 season and four teams can still claim a fifth place qualifying for the new European competition: the Europa League Conference.
These four teams are, in order, the RC Lens (Pas-de-Calais), Olympique de Marseille, the Rennais Stadium and Montpellier. If the Sang et Or are currently fifth with three lengths ahead of OM and four over Rennes as well as the MHSC, the mass is far from being said.
The Europa League Conference: kezako?
The Europa League Conference is the new European competition created in 2018. It is registered as the little sister of the Europa League and will open its doors to 32 clubs from next season. It will take place like the Champions League or the Europa League, ie there will be four qualifying rounds including a last called “jump-off”, a group stage, an additional jump-off, a final phase and the final .
In France, fifth place gives access to this competition, or sixth if a club already qualified for the European Cup wins the Coupe de France. The final will take place at the Arena Kombëtare, in Tirana (Albania).
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A complicated calendar for Racing
Artesians surely have the most complicated schedule to tackle. From this Saturday April 3, 2021, the Lensois will receive theOlympique Lyonnais, claiming the title. They will then welcome Lorient, who is playing for its survival in the elite, move to Brest and face Nîmes in Bollaert-Delelis.
The Crocodiles are also fighting for maintenance and recently brought down the LOSC, ex-championship leaders. Finally, Racing will end the season in style with the receptions of two teams which hope to finish in the lead: the neighbor Lille and AS Monaco.
Note that Franck Haise’s players will not meet a direct opponent and will have to widen the gap otherwise by earning as many points as possible. Because behind, OM seems to have a clear path to Europe.
The Phocéens have already faced the leaders of Ligue 1. Until May, Marseille will receive Dijon, condemned to relegation, Strasbourg, Lorient and Angers. The Alsatians and Bretons are fighting for their maintenance and Angers will end its season coasting.
L’OM in favorable ballotage
Olympians travel is more difficult: Montpellier, direct competitor in fifth place, Reims, Saint-Etienne and Metz. If Metz and Reims have nothing more to eat, the MHSC intends to play spoilers until the end and the Stéphanois still have to scratch points to stay in Ligue 1 next season.
Note that the arrival of Jorge Sampaoli on the Marseille bench has relatively revived the machine. OM should be watched closely, as is Stade Rennais. Les Rouge et Noir have also welcomed a new coach: Bruno Genesio.
Rennes, the best squad?
The Rennais have chained two victories in a row after a first defeat against the Phocéens. Even if they disappointed in the Champions League this year, the Bretons want to erase this failure by hanging a new qualification in the European Cup.
And among the clubs which apply for this fifth place, Rennes undoubtedly has the best squad: Camavinga, Bourigeaud, Nzonzi, Doku, Da Silva… There are excellent players in each position.
Rennes will go to Reims, Angers, Bordeaux and Monaco and will receive Nantes, Dijon, Paris and Nîmes. Not easy! What about the last suitor, Montpellier? Worn by the Delort-Laborde duo, the MHSC has been undefeated for eight matches in the league.
Delort-Laborde, the flamboyant duo
The last defeat in Montpellier dates back to January 30, it was against Lens (1-2, 22nd day). Michel Der Zakarian’s players will welcome Marseille, Saint-Etienne and Brest and will travel to Angers, Lille, Nice and Nantes.
The Pailladins inherit the toughest schedule just behind the Blood and Gold. One thing is certain, the battle will be tough until the last minute of the 38th day. Which is your favorite?
The end of the championship simulated by the editorial staff:
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