The qualifying rounds of the Europa League have been a rollercoaster ride for three Ligue 1 teams as they fight for their spot in Europe's premier club competition. Despite having relatively narrow gaps between them and the top two spots, the battle is intense.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has had a tough start to the campaign, but the French giants remain in contention with a game to spare after drawing 2-2 against Lyon at home. The team is led by coach Mauricio Pochettino, who has brought in some key signings this summer, including Neymar Jr., Kylian Mbappe, and Lionel Messi. PSG will need to maintain their focus if they want to secure a place in the group stage.
Rennes, on the other hand, has struggled so far, losing four of their first five games. However, the team is still alive in the race thanks to a strong defensive record and some impressive performances from young talent such as Yann M'Vila and Jonathan Bamba. Rennes will be looking to bounce back against Strasbourg next week and secure their place in the Europa League.
Meanwhile, Marseille faces a more difficult task as they look to qualify from Group A alongside Ajax, Wolfsburg, and Zenit St Petersburg. The team is led by former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who has overseen a successful season so far. However, the squad is aging and the team has struggled defensively, conceding eight goals in their opening six games.
Despite these challenges, all three teams have shown that they can compete at the highest level. With just one match remaining before the final round of matches, the intensity of the qualification battle continues to rise. It remains to be seen whether any of these teams can secure their place in the Europa League, or whether they will be forced to settle for a lower European competition. Either way, it promises to be an exciting end to the 2020-2021 season.