http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-Lyonnais-c40130 and Olympique de Marseille are the last two French clubs who are still in the Champions League. However, the two Rhone giants could be looking at life without Champions League next season.
For almost a decade, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-de-Marseille-c40127 and Olympique Lyonnais have been flying the Ligue 1 colours in the UEFA Champions League. This campaign, LOSC Lille were knocked out in the group stages but the two Rhone giants, qualified for the next round and
have a great chance of progressing even further.
In the first legs of their respective games, Lyon and Marseille beat APOEL and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan 1-0 respectively. However, there is a big possibility that the two sides might not feature in the Champions League at all next season.
As things stand, both Lyon and Marseille are far away from the top three places that guarantee passage to Europe’s most prestigious club competition. On top, it is Montpellier Herault who are closely followed by Paris Saint-Germain.
In the third place, it is reigning Ligue 1 champions LOSC Lille who have a pretty sound lead over the chasing pack.
Lyon and Marseille are six and seven points behind Lille respectively and the mission to qualify for the Champions League is looking more and more complicated.
Therefore, the residents of Stade de Gerland and Stade Velodrome should contemplate on life without Champions League next season.
Asked at a news conference about this prospect, Lyon striker, Bafetimbi Gomis admitted that it will not be easy (to not play in the Champions League). The striker says that though everyone is trying their best to avoid the scenario, they need to stay optimistic.
Cesare Azpilicueta of Marseille on the other hand, feels that his side should atleast try to finish the season on third place.
“We have no margin for error. We came a long way, and it forces us to win all our matches. Third place is minimum.”
Didier Deschamps is also being optimistic despite knowing that they have a mountain to climb in order to displace a Lille side that is growing in confidence.
The two Rhone giants missing out would certainly be a big loss to them but would also be a big loss to the Champions League as these two sides have done brilliantly in the competition in recent seasons.
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