The UEFA coefficient is a bit of a goldmine for the various leagues. Clubs in each country must perform well to maintain their top positions. France has struggled in Europe several times, but managed to climb to 5th place at the end of the 2023-2024 season, thus securing seven European qualification spots (four for the Champions League, including three direct qualification spots, two for the Europa League, and one for the Europa Conference League). The objective was to at least maintain this ranking at the end of the 2025-2026 season, or even catch up with Germany. This week’s results are rather poor.
The top 10 in the UEFA coefficient by country (over the last five seasons, including the current one).
Source: UEFA official website.
Indeed, France has had another average week. In the Champions League, there were no victories as PSG (1-1 against Newcastle) and Monaco (0-0 against Juventus) both drew, while Olympique de Marseille lost 3-0 to Club Brugge. This result was all the more frustrating as it led to Marseille’s elimination.
In the Europa League, OGC Nice, already eliminated, returned to their old habits with a 1-0 defeat against Ludogorets. Fortunately, Lille (1-0 against Freiburg) and Olympique Lyonnais (4-2 against PAOK) managed to secure wins. These two victories, snatched at the end of matches, were a welcome relief. Thus, two French clubs were eliminated, while Strasbourg had already qualified for the Europa Conference League (there were only six matchdays). More bad news for France: PSG and AS Monaco will face each other in the playoffs, and one club will inevitably be eliminated. Although this also guarantees that one team will qualify.
The good news for France comes from the Netherlands, with another disappointing week for one of their closest rivals and poor results leading to five eliminations for only one country still in contention: AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League. Portugal has taken sixth place and will be a force to be reckoned with, having qualified four out of five clubs. It’s also worth noting that next year’s 2021-2022 season, which was very favorable for France, will be disregarded. Ahead of them, the gap will be difficult to close, especially with Germany pulling away and having qualified six out of seven.
