The stage for the next Champions League is already taking shape. Friday evening, RC Lens secured the Ligue 1 podium and its direct qualification for the Champions League thanks to a snatched victory against FC Nantes (1-0, goal from Mezian Mesloub, 16 years old!). The Bollaert public did not fail to celebrate their heroes of the season, masterfully led by Pierre Sage and once in the title race with PSG.
On Saturday, Galatasaray was crowned champion of Türkiye at the expense of Fenerbahçe on the penultimate day and a victory against Antalyaspor (4-2). The Istanbul team is led by Sasha Boey, Ilkay Gündogan, Mario Lemina, Leroy Sané, Victor Osimhen and Mauro Icardi. And the C1 thus knows 16 of the 36 participants in the next phase of the league.
Very heavy everywhere for RC Lens
The seeded hat is already almost complete with the assured presence of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, PSG, Inter, Manchester City, Arsenal, Barça and Atlético. Liverpool are close to validating their ticket but shared the points with Chelsea (1-1) on Saturday at Anfield.
We also find Borussia Dortmund, FC Porto, Manchester United and PSV in pot 2 of the draw for the first phase of the C1, while Galatasaray lands in pot 3 along with Leipzig and Villarreal (while waiting for OL and Losc, who are off to a good start in the French championship). Finally, RC Lens will appear in the last hat with one of the smallest UEFA coefficients. The Sang et Or already know 15 of the 32 or 33 possible opponents (they will not be able to come across the two or three other French teams in the running).
