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UEFA Coefficient: Ligue 1 Wastes Golden Opportunity Against Portugal

While Portuguese clubs suffered three defeats during the third week of European competitions, French representatives delivered an almost identical record. France's lead in fifth place in the UEFA coefficient has shrunk to 3,660 points.

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UEFA Coefficient: Ligue 1 Wastes Golden Opportunity Against Portugal
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Ligue 1 missed the chance to extend its lead over Portugal in the race for fifth place in the UEFA coefficient. After the third week of European competitions, France’s advantage fell from 3,746 to 3,660 points, with France now totalling 71,010 points compared to 67,350 for Portugal.

The week had started well. On Tuesday, Paris Saint-Germain won brilliantly against FC Barcelona (4-2), while FC Porto lost at home to PSV Eindhoven (0-1). Even the defeats of Lille against Galatasaray (2-4) and Lens at Bruges (0-3) were partially offset by the surprise of Sporting Portugal being beaten by Linz (2-3).

Thursday changed everything. Olympique de Marseille lost at Sturm Graz (0-1) and Olympique Lyonnais collapsed at Hoffenheim (0-3), weighing down an already fragile collective record. Monaco’s clear victory over Freiburg (3-0) and Rennes’ draw at Juventus (2-2) were not enough to tip the scales. At the same time, Benfica and Braga won their respective matches, allowing Portugal to regain ground.

Over the week as a whole, French clubs recorded two victories, one draw and four defeats, compared to two victories and three defeats for their Portuguese counterparts — a record slightly unfavourable to the French.

The trend is worrying over the long term. France has already erased more than a quarter of its lead from the start of the season, which stood at 4,832 points. The gradual expiration of points earned during the very successful 2021-2022 campaign in UEFA’s five-year calculation weighs structurally on the French ranking. Belgium, seventh with 62,450 points, remains still distant, but Portuguese pressure is strengthening week after week.

The stakes are considerable. Maintaining fifth place would guarantee Ligue 1 seven representatives in European competitions for the 2028-2029 season, including three direct qualifications to the UEFA Champions League. Slipping to sixth place would reduce this contingent to six clubs and cost one direct place in the continent’s most lucrative competition.

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