The UEFA index is a bit like the goose that lays the golden eggs for the different championships. There are clubs in each country which must make the best progress to stay in the best places. France has had difficulties in Europe several times, 6th in the ranking at the start of the 2023-2024 financial year, but it was able to finish 5th to be entitled to 7 qualifiers in Europe (4 for the Champions League, including 3 direct, 2 for the Europa League and 1 for the Conference League). The objective is to at least keep this rank at the end of the 2024-2025 season and we are off to a good start, even if the week which has just passed is not encouraging.
The UEFA index by country (over the last 5 seasons, including the current one).
Source: UEFA official website.
Indeed, this week was not successful for France in its great rivalry with the Netherlands, despite PSG's 4-2 victory against Manchester City. Next to it, Monaco was also able to win against Aston Villa (1-0). While Brest, Lille and Lyon lost against Liverpool (2-1), Shakhtar Donetsk (2-0) and Elfsborg (1-0). Lyon did no better than a 0-0 draw against Fenerbahçe.
All this while the Netherlands were successful this week: Feyenoord created a surprise by beating Bayern Munich (3-0), PSV Eindhoven ensured against Red Star Belgrade (3-2), AZ Alkmaar pulled off a great blow against AS Rome (1-0) and Twente defeated Malmö (3-2). There is only the defeat of Ajax Amsterdam against Riga (1-0), a big surprise, as a downside.
-It remains a good season for France, with hope for the future and clubs rather well placed apart from Nice. But be careful, the pressure is still there.
