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3 months ago
27 ARTICLE AD
Having qualified for the UEFA Conference League, RC Lens will have to go through a perilous play-off round, against Ajax or Panathinaikos.
It is the cruelty of this 7th place in Ligue 1, which in no way guarantees European participation the following season. For RC Lens, this gave them the right to qualify for the play-off round of the UEFA Conference League, a competition for which no team qualifies for the group stage, not even the highest-ranked teams like Chelsea.
Lens will therefore have a double confrontation to win, and the Blood and Gold have not been spoiled by fate. While they could have crossed paths with Osijek or Zire, Estonian or Swedish clubs, Will Still’s men will have to challenge Ajax or Panathinaikos. A small subtlety, the Artésiens will face the loser of what is a 3rd preliminary round of the Europa League, the “parent” competition of the C4.
The first leg will take place on August 22 in Lens, and the return leg on August 29, in the Netherlands or Greece. In the event of elimination, Racing’s European adventure would already be over. Then, the group stage will offer the same 36-team format as that implemented in the Champions League this season, but with only 6 matches to play (compared to 8 in C1).
Written by:
Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team.
 
 As an author for the website, Manu's expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers.
 
 When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans. Feel free to follow Manu on Twitter and interact with him as he shares his expert opinions, insights, and love for French football.
