Two French sides assured of a place in the Champions League knockout phase

For the first time since the 2021-22 campaign, more than one Ligue 1 side will be competing in the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League.

After six matchdays, Stade Brestois 29 and Lille OSC are guaranteed to finish at worst in the top 24, meaning they will advance beyond the League Phase.

Both sides are currently positioned to move directly into the last 16 with Brest and Les Dogues sitting seventh and eighth, respectively in the table, with 13 points each.

On Tuesday, Éric Roy’s men claimed a 1-0 triumph over PSV, while Bruno Génésio’s Lille held onto a 3-2 victory versus SK Sturm Graz the following day.

The previous time two French teams made it into the knockout stage of this tournament was in 2021-22 when Lille were eliminated by Chelsea in the round of 16 (4-1 on aggregate), with Paris Saint-Germain losing in that same phase against Real Madrid (3-2 on aggregate). 

With two matches remaining in the League Phase, three of the four French teams are in the top 24, with AS Monaco sitting in 16th despite a 3-0 defeat on matchday six at Arsenal.

Luis Enrique’s men won their previous Champions League fixture by that same score against Red Bull Salzburg but are currently a point behind Dinamo Zagreb for a place in the knockout round.

Consecutive defeats at this tournament have left Les Monégasques with a 3.3% chance of cracking the top eight, while they are virtually guaranteed a place in the knockout round.

PSG’s odds of a knockout berth have significantly increased thanks to their matchday six victory.

Matchday seven begins on January 21, with the opening game featuring Monaco against Aston Villa at Stade Louis II.

GFFN | Joël Lefevre