The return semifinal match of the European Cup between Olympique Lyonnais and Manchester United is of paramount importance beyond OL’s mere qualification. The outcome of this meeting, as well as the course of the Paulo Fonseca team in the competition, could influence the number of European places allocated to Ligue 1 next season. An additional place in the European Cup could be given to Ligue 1, but this opportunity is intrinsically linked to OL’s performance and its lack of qualification for a European competition via the national championship.

The impact of Lyon’s performance is double: if OL achieves the final victory of the European Cup, while not qualifying for a European competition via the championship, France could see eight Ligue 1 clubs competing in European competitions. This would involve a redistribution of seats, with potentially five French clubs in the Champions League, two in the Europa League and one in the play-off phase of the Conference League. Conversely, a win by OL in the European Cup combined with a place in the top 7 of the championship could lead to the loss of a European place, especially if Paris Saint-Germain wins the Coupe de France.

In the end, the only condition to maintain the current situation is that Olympique Lyonnais finishes the season among the top four in the championship and wins the European Cup. The crucial match against Manchester United, which will take place in Old Trafford this Thursday at 9 p.m., marks a decisive step in this complex scenario, the outcome of which will have a significant impact on the European landscape of French football.