PARIS — It was to the surprise of nobody that Paris Saint-Germain clinched a fifth straight Ligue 1 title in midweek, but behind them there are still numerous matters to be sorted out when the French season concludes on Sunday.
PSG officially ended the title race on Wednesday with a 2-0 win away to nearest rivals Lens, who will finish second and go into the league phase of next season’s Champions League, AFP reported.
Luis Enrique’s side can now focus on the Champions League final against Arsenal in Budapest on May 30, at least once Sunday’s trip across the road to neighbours Paris FC is out of the way.
The only issue appears to be sorting out when exactly PSG will receive their trophy, with their opponents refusing to allow them to stage a ceremony on the pitch at their Stade Jean-Bouin after the match.
The top three in Ligue 1 go directly into the Champions League, while the team finishing fourth must enter in the third qualifying round and win two ties in order to reach the league phase.
Lens have done their job and are now preparing for the French Cup final against Nice on May 22, but they will still have a say in who takes third place as they go to Lyon this weekend.
Lille currently sit third, meaning a win at home to relegation-threatened Auxerre will guarantee them a return to Europe’s top table.
But any slip-up will open the door to Lyon, who are just a point behind as the financially-troubled club seek a first involvement in the Champions League since reaching the semifinals in 2020.
“When we started the season, who could have believed we would finish in these places,” asked Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca.
“When you see the investments made by other clubs and by us, I never would have thought we would be where we are.”
Rennes are another point behind Lyon so still have a chance of the Champions League, but their priority is holding onto fifth and securing Europa League football.
They finish the season at Marseille, who are three points behind them in sixth and are managed by former Rennes coach Habib Beye.
OM therefore have to win, otherwise a draw will be enough to hold off Monaco and take sixth – that is a place in the Conference League, or the Europa League should Lens win the French Cup.
Nantes and Metz have already been relegated, with Troyes and Le Mans promoted from Ligue 2.
