With Atlético Madrid claiming victory in the UEFA Europa League final, the side that finishes third in Ligue 1 Conforama will now qualify directly for next season's UEFA Champions League group stage.
Atlético Madrid's UEFA Europa League final win over Olympique de Marseille has had positive ramifications for Ligue 1 Conforama's third-placed side. Already assured of UEFA Champions League football thanks to their league position in La Liga, the Madrid club have freed up a precious Champions League group stage place for France, fifth in UEFA's ranking.
Three clubs directly through to group stage
Thus third place in Ligue 1 Conforama now entails direct qualification for the UEFA Champions League group stage, avoiding the third qualifying round and play-offs. France will have three teams in the group stage next season. The sides who finish fourth and fifth will qualify directly for the UEFA Europa League group stage while sixth will enter the competition in the second qualifying round, on July 26.
So Ligue 1 Conforama's Week 38 will be rich in suspense, with three sides battling it out for the two places behind champions Paris Saint-Germain. AS Monaco, OL and OM will all do everything they can to avoid finishing fourth.
Down to the wire
Concerning the UEFA Europa League, Stade Rennais - who are assured of finishing at least sixth - will be looking to secure fifth place and avoid an early start to the season in late July. OGC Nice, Girondins de Bordeaux and AS Saint-Etienne will all be fighting tooth and nail to be sitting in sixth - and claim the final European berth - when the music stops.
