Dortmund won a 2-1 victory at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium, winning 3-2 on all two matches and qualifying for the quarter-finals. Lille's defeat means that the French championship is officially out of race for one of the additional places in the Champions League available for next season.
This season, UEFA has introduced a rule granting two additional places in the Champions League to the championships displaying the best collective performance in European competitions. These additional places are determined according to the classification by coefficient, which follows the results of the Champions League, the Europa League and the Europa League Conference. France being now eliminated, the race for these coveted places is reduced to only four championships: England, Spain, Italy and Germany.
The PL thanks the LOSC
Despite the elimination of Manchester City and Liverpool in the Champions League, English clubs remain well represented in all European competitions. Arsenal and Aston Villa both qualified and, if they continue their series, they could find themselves in the semi-finals. For their part, Manchester United and Tottenham are still in the running in the Europa League, but their classification being separated, they cannot be eliminated before the final. England will therefore continue to garner precious coefficient points, whatever its qualification.
The Premier League seems to be sure to ensure its additional place earlier than usual, perhaps before the end of March. With several English teams still in the running in the three European competitions, the position of England is more solid than ever. As the direct elimination phases are progressing, all eyes will be turned to the remaining Premier League clubs, the performance of which will determine the speed with which England will obtain its additional place in the Champions League for the 2025/26 season.
