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Race to Europe, maintenance, Messi: seven questions on the last day of Ligue 1

Christophe Galtier announced it, this Thursday, in front of the journalists.

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Race to Europe, maintenance, Messi: seven questions on the last day of Ligue 1

Christophe Galtier announced it, this Thursday, in front of the journalists. "There will be no party this Saturday", out of respect for Sergio Rico. The Spanish goalkeeper, on loan to RCD Mallorca this season, is still hospitalized in serious condition after his riding accident last Sunday. "You understand that there will be no party, it's a very difficult week, we are all affected, we went on Saturday evening from a championship title with a few glasses of champagne to waking up on Sunday morning more that painful, said the Parisian coach. You have to have a lot, a lot of restraint, and bring a lot, a lot, a lot of support and keep hope.

They are three, three for a seat. LOSC (4th, 66 points) has its destiny in its hands. In the event of victory this Saturday evening, the Mastiffs would be guaranteed to finish at the foot of the podium, and therefore to qualify for the next edition of the C3. And on paper, a Lille success in this last day of Ligue 1 seems highly probable since the club from the North moves to the lawn of ESTAC ... which is already condemned to Ligue 2. But in the event that Paulo Fonseca and his men would not manage to win, they are two in ambush, ready to seize fourth place in the standings: Stade Rennes (5th, 65 points) and AS Monaco (6th, 65 points ). The Bretons - who also have a better goal difference than the Monegasques (29 against 13) - remain on a good series of three consecutive victories and thus advance against Stade Brestois (outside) with a lot of confidence. While conversely, the formation of the Principality, on the verge of implosion, will face Toulouse FC at home with the apprehension of experiencing a white season... and a deep feeling of waste.

SEE ALSO - "A very difficult week": Christophe Galtier speaks about the situation of Sergio Rico

As surprising as it may seem, yes. However, it would take a real combination of circumstances. First of all, a sine qua non condition, Olympique Lyonnais (7th, 62 points) must grab sixth place in the standings... which is not normally a qualifier for a European Cup. This eventuality requires both a Rhone victory on the lawn of OGC Nice - which is by no means illusory - and a defeat for AS Monaco against Toulouse FC ... or a (very) large setback Stade Rennes in the Breton derby against Stade Brestois (unlikely). Then, if ever this scenario were to happen, Laurent Blanc and his men would then have to rely on the fact that Téfécé, winners of the Coupe de France, are not allowed - in accordance with UEFA regulations - to take part in the next edition of the Europa League due to the qualification of AC Milan - which has the same owner as the Pink City club - for the next edition of the Champions League. If this were the case, fifth place in Ligue 1 would qualify for C3, sixth for C4. This is the only chance for the Gones to be European next season (in fact, they can still finish fifth, but that seems very unlikely). “We don't talk about this place. We are not on vacation, we want to arrive in Nice, take the three points, end the season well. If behind, we have this chance to play Europe, so much the better”, explained Franck Passi this Thursday, at a press conference.

It is now a two-legged match between AJ Auxerre (16th, 35 points) and FC Nantes (17th, 33 points); ESTAC (18th, 23 points), AC Ajaccio (19th, 23 points) and SCO Angers (20th, 18 points) being already condemned and RC Strasbourg (15th, 40 points) having already ensured its maintenance. And given the posters for this 38th day of Ligue 1, anything can happen. Because if the Canaries are two points behind - with nevertheless a better goal difference, -19 against -26 for AJA -, they receive the red lantern while the Burgundians face ... RC Lens, second in the standings . It remains to be seen what the state of mind of the Angevins and Lensois will be this Saturday evening. But no doubt they should play the game to avoid "distorting" the championship. We should thus witness a great fight for maintenance.

Ligue 1: Angers player Himad Abdelli returns to his comments on FC Nantes

For its decisive match in the race to maintain, against SCO Angers, FC Nantes will not be able to count on the support of all its supporters. Indeed, the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) confirmed, this Thursday, the sanction of the Disciplinary Committee of the Professional Football League (LFP) to close the Loire stand for the 38th day of Ligue 1 after the use of smoke bombs against RC Strasbourg Alsace on May 7th. A real blow for the Canaries since the Loire stand is none other than one of the hottest in the Beaujoire stadium. Will this closure affect the meeting...and the future of the FCN?

With 28 goals, Kylian Mbappé is on track to retain his title as top scorer in Ligue 1. Especially since Paris SG hosts Clermont Foot 63 this Saturday evening; an opponent well within his reach and against whom the 2018 world champion should have several opportunities to increase his goal tally. However, Bondy's crack will have to be wary of Alexandre Lacazette. The Lyonnais, who has already found the net 27 times, finished the season with a bang with 7 goals in his last 4 matches. And it is (almost) certain that he should get chances against OGC Nice, especially since the Rhone club must win to hope to hang on to Europe.

“Tomorrow (Saturday) is his last match at the Parc des Princes. I dare to hope that it will be welcomed in the best of ways.” This Thursday, in front of journalists, Christophe Galtier put an end to the true-false suspense concerning the future of Lionel Messi. And it is not the denial of Paris SG – indicating that the Parisian coach had expressed himself badly and only mentioned the current season – which will change anything. Two years after arriving in the French capital, the "Pulga", at the end of the contract, will probably leave the Rouge et Bleu, no doubt with a taste of unfinished business. Parisian supporters, but also Ligue 1 fans, will have the opportunity to see him at work one last time in France this Saturday evening, against Clermont Foot 63. Now it remains to know his future destination.

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