To put the three French clubs still competing in the European Cup in the best conditions for their quarter-finals, the LFP has decided to move the Ligue 1 calendar. Which Antoine Kombouaré, coach of FC Nantes, doesn’t really understand .
Should we disrupt the Ligue 1 calendar to put French clubs still involved in the European Cup in the best conditions? For the LFP, the answer is yes, and it is even an “absolute priority”. She thus postponed the matches of the 29th day of Ligue 1 for PSG, Marseille and Lille so that they focus on their double continental confrontations in the quarters: against FC Barcelona for Paris in the Champions League (April 10 and 16) , against Benfica for OM in the Europa League (April 11 and 18) and against Aston Villa for Losc in the Europa Conference League (April 11 and 18).
“The League must be careful”
Exempt from the championship this weekend, the Parisians, Marseille and Lille will face Lorient, Monaco and Nice on Wednesday April 24. And the schedule could still be modified in the event of qualification(s) for the European semi-finals. Which has already angered Le Havre leaders. Questioned on this subject this Friday at a press conference, Antoine Kombouaré was also very clear. “I understand that the clubs which are playing for maintenance are not happy”, underlined the coach of FC Nantes, whose team is in 15th place with only two points ahead of the red zone before its trip to Le Havre Sunday (1 p.m.).
“It’s very complicated. The League wants to protect the clubs which compete in the European Cups. At the same time, we must not weaken or put in difficulty the clubs which play for survival. Everyone defends their interests. Above all, it is necessary that the League defends its championship, it defends Ligue 1. You can protect the clubs which play in the European Cup because there are three dates for Ligue 1: Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We experienced that there last season. You have to play on the weekend,” said the FCN coach. For him, “the League must be careful” to find the right formula.
“For the clubs which are playing to maintain and which have to play three matches in a week, it is complicated. I understand everyone’s arguments. By playing this game, what will we do at the end of the season? We know that the matches of the last two days must be played at the same time. The League has found itself in difficulty. It must protect its championship, the European Cup comes later. Even if I am a supporter of PSG and I would like to see Paris win the League champions, OM win the Europa League… I defend French clubs in the European Cup, but first Ligue 1. You don’t have to agree with me”, a- he concluded.
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2024-04-12 11:16:47
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