Annus horribilis for French clubs in the European Cup in this group stage.
With only two qualified, PSG (C1) and Lille (C3), out of six representatives to play in the final stages of the Champions League and the Europa League next spring, France has its worst record (tied with 2011-2012 , 2013-2014 and 2019-2020) for ten years.
We even observe a decline in the results from the 2016-2017 season.
That year, there were 4 Ligue 1 teams to come out of the group stages.
Then, we fell to 3 (2018-2019) and finally two last year and this season.
"It's a meager record, we could hope for much better from French clubs," says former PSG defender Christophe Jallet, now a consultant on Téléfoot.
"The requirement is normal because the France team is world champion," says Elie Baup, the former Marseille coach in particular, consultant for BeIN Sports.
But we must also face the facts.
In which formations do the Blues evolve?
Not in those of France with the exception of Mbappé and Kimpembe who play in the best French club.
"
Marseille, the big disappointment
In the Champions League, PSG - despite a sluggish start to the campaign (2 defeats in 3 games) - qualified for the 9th time in a row for the round of 16 of the competition.
For its first participation in the C1, Rennes, on the other hand, did not achieve a miracle against Chelsea and Sevilla FC but the Bretons were unable to beat the Russians of Krasnodar in order to grab 3rd place synonymous with 16th Europa League final.
The same goes for Marseille, the last of his group, who failed to get ahead of the Greeks of Olympiakos.
“The big disappointment comes from OM because this team is currently obtaining excellent results in Ligue 1 (4th with 2 games late), notes Christophe Jallet.
The Marseillais should have been in the fight with Porto for 2nd place or at least finished ahead of the Greeks.
Rennes suffered from its first match against Krasnodar (1-1).
Getting off to a good start in a six-game mini-championship is essential to gain confidence and points.
"
Nice, the ambitious, stalled
In the Europa League, Lille brilliantly qualified for the round of 16 of the Europa League, notably achieving a feat at AC Milan (0-3).
But the ambitious Nice was eliminated following two defeats against the Czechs of Slavia Prague and a heavy loss to Bayer Leverkusen (6-2).
Fifty-seven years after its last European appearance, the Stade de Reims had left the competition in the third qualifying round by the modest Hungarians of Fehervar.
"Nice has had several players infected with Covid-19 and their captain Dante was seriously injured (
Editor's note: rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee
), pleads Luis Fernandez who won the European Cup winners' Cup in 1996 with PSG.
Reims returned to Europe and was still playing in Ligue 2 in 2018. "" Experience is crucial on the European scene, insists Elie Baup.
Look at our neighbors.
It's still pretty much the same teams in England, Spain, Germany, Italy and even Portugal that qualify for the European Cups.
"
Lille can create a big surprise
Is it inevitable to see French clubs regress year after year in continental competitions?
“To have results, you have to come back to it constantly, keep your best players and recruit experience elements,” explains Elie Baup.
French clubs do not have large financial means and they have to manage.
Their only solution is to train players and then sell them to make ends meet.
Obviously, they are then less competitive in the European Cup.
"You need experience and a more competitive championship," adds Fernandez.
This season, we see a Ligue 1 more hooked with only 5 points between the first 6.
I am convinced that this homogeneity at the top of the standings will be beneficial to French clubs in the years to come.
"
Before thinking about the next European season, the current one will therefore resume in February with first the round of 16 of the Europa League and then the round of 16 of the Champions League.
“We have two representatives who can do great things,” says Elie Baup.
"I can see PSG once again reaching the last four," said Luis Fernandez.
Lille coach Christophe Galtier has a very good team.
The Northerners can create a big surprise in the Europa League.
»Response in 2021.