French clubs cannot compete abroad. If their TV deal falls through, they will struggle to compete at home
By Adam White and Eric Devin for Get French
Football News
“In order to be shit in the
Champions League, you have to at least qualify for the Champions League,” said Marseille coach André Villas-Boas. “We did it and we are being shit.” After a run of three straight defeats without scoring a goal, the Portuguese coach has a point. However, that damning assessment of his team could also be applied to much of French football of late.
Marseille were not the only Ligue 1 team to taste defeat last week. Four of the five French clubs in Europe were beaten. PSG and Rennes also lost in the Champions League, and Nice lost in the Europa League. Lille were the only exceptions; they dismantled Milan 3-0 at San Siro to go top of their Europa League group.