France moved back ahead of the Netherlands to 5th place in the UEFA coefficient thanks to PSG’s draw against Newcastle (1-1) and especially Feyenoord’s defeat against Atlético (1-3).
Fierce is the distance duel between France and the Netherlands this season… Better still, the clash between OM and Ajax, Thursday evening at the Stade Vélodrome in the Europa League, could be decisive. The Netherlands started the season in 5th place in the UEFA “association coefficient”, but France moved back in front on Tuesday evening thanks to the draw snatched by PSG against Newcastle (1-1) and especially the defeat of Feyenoord against Atlético de Madrid (1-3).
In addition to returning to 5th in the Old Continent championship rankings, French football is now in a position of strength. If RC Lens does not start as favorites in the Champions League against Arsenal (this Wednesday evening at the Emirates Stadium), Stade Rennais, Toulouse and Losc (in the Conference League) have all the means to beat Maccabi Haifa respectively, Union Saint-Gilloise and Olimpija Ljubljana. When PSV Eindhoven goes to Seville and Alkmaar will host Zrinjski Mostar.
As a reminder, it is absolutely essential for France to finish in 5th place in the UEFA index at the end of the season, which would allow Ligue 1 to keep (as for this 2023-2024 season) its three direct tickets for the Champions League and entry for the 3rd round of C1 qualifying. If the Netherlands go ahead, the French championship will only offer two direct qualifications for the LDC and, worse, a place in the 2nd qualifying round!
