Marseille eliminated and Saint-Etienne, PSG carries the France at arm – BBC Sport

With the elimination of Saint-Etienne and Marseille in the Europa League, PSG is the last French representative in the European Cup. A blow to the UEFA coefficient.

now based in Paris. Thursday, Saint-Etienne bowed in Basel (2-1) in 16 ^th finals of the Europa League. Marseille also exited the competition after their draw in Bilbao (1-1). After eliminations of Lyon, Bordeaux and Monaco earlier in the season, PSG is the last French representative in the European Cup. The capital club, still engaged in 8 ^th of the Champions League against Chelsea, is the only one still able to boost the national counter (52,082 pts). Just behind included Portugal (51,915 pts) and Russia (51,082 pts). A danger for the future of French clubs in Europe.

Last year, France was the sixth

At the beginning of the season, the France pointed to the 6 ^th UEFA coefficient ranking of. The first two championship (Paris, Lyon) could compete hens Champions League directly. Third, Monaco had to pass a preliminary round (won against Young Boys Berne) and a play-off round (lost against Valencia). As for the fourth, he was automatically qualified Europa League (Marseille). Paris having won two national cups, Saint-Etienne and Bordeaux (5 ^th 6 ^th ) also had their chance. But with a preliminary round and a dam to go to reach the group stage.

Avoid at all costs 7th place

Thanks to the results of PSG this season, France climbed one rank, 5 ^th in the standings. If the situation remains the same, the advance would nevertheless very limited. One change, the third in Ligue 1 will not have to pass preliminary round but only a play-off round, often fatal to French clubs. 5 ^th or 6 ^th , the difference remains tenuous. However, if France retreated to 7 ^th place, the consequences would be much more serious. Ligue 1 would lose a qualified representative directly for C1. The second championship would have a preliminary round and a dam to pass. The third of L1 would he automatically qualified in phase C3 groups. Unlike the 6 ^th place the 7 ^th is synonymous with a change of address. In a real decrease in the level and visibility in Europe.

Russia and Portugal no better off

But the competitors of our elite are not really better off this season. Thursday, Portugal (6 ^th ) saw the elimination of Porto facing Dortmund (2-0, 1-0) and Sporting against Leverkusen (0-1, 1-3) 16 ^th Europa. Only Benfica is still competing in Braga C1 and C3. The Lusitano are emerging as the biggest threat for the championship of France. Russia (7 ^th ), it no longer has any club C3 after the elimination of Lokomotiv Moscow and FC Krasnodar on Thursday. Its last representative, Zenit St Petersburg, is still competing in the UEFA Champions … face Benfica, in the second round. If successful next Wednesday as Benfica, 1-0 winners in the first leg would condemn the chances of progression Russians. France then save the essential: not to fall 7 ^th UEFA rankings. If Paris and beating out Chelsea, the L1 could even get ahead of his opponents. Scope at arms length by the capital club

UEFA coefficient country.

1. Spain 97713 pt
2. Germany 77,177 pts
3. England 73 909 pts
4. Italy 70 272 pts
5. France 52,082 pts
6. Portugal 51,915 pts
7. Russia 51 082 pts
8. Ukraine 42.483 pts