Lyon back in the race!!

Just when it looked like Monaco would put pressure on the top two sides in the table, Lyon fight back to beat them. In a remarkable game at the Stade Louis 2. It's Les Lyonnais who keep themselves mathematically in the title race and move to within a point of third placed Monaco. The title could be a step too far for Lyon or Monaco now as Lille and PSG would need to drop significant points in the final three games of the season. More importantly for Lyon though is that they have a real chance to overhaul Les Monegasques for the third placed Champions League qualifying place. Champions League football would give either club a huge financial and Sportive boost. Lyon have a decent record in the Champions League and Owner Jean-Michel Aulas will be desperate for them to make it. Monaco, finalists in 2004, must have had huge confidence of qualifying for the first time since the 2018/19 season. This result though has thrown everything in to the balance. How much it means to both clubs was evident after the final whistle when a scuffle broke out and four players were red carded post match. Lyon, having already had Maxence Caqueret sent off during the match, saw Mattia De Sciglio and Marcelo shown red. Monaco had Pietro Pellegri and Willem Geubbels sent off for their involvement in the aftermatch brawl. Both sides will now have these players suspended for next weeks Ligue 1 fixtures. Lyon will arguably miss their three suspended players more. All three are regular starters and Marcelo in particular is an influential and senior player. Monaco will find it easier to be without Geubbels and Pellegri next week at Reims. Neither are regular starters and they have just one league goal apiece this season.

The run in for both sides should be relatively easy. Lyon will host Lorient and Nice either side of a trip to relegation threatened Nimes. Les Nimois could put up the stiffest resistance of the three as they have everything to fight for. Lyon would expect three wins from their final games though. Monaco actually have at least four games left as they have a Coupe De France semi final at Rumilly Vallières on the 13th May. They will expect to beat the Championnat National 2 team (fourth tier of French football). Will their cup run

interfere or distract Monaco from their league form? Next week's league game at Reims is very winnable but after the Cup Semi Final they have Rennes at home and Lens away. These two teams are still fighting for a place in the Europa League so will not be easy to beat. With these factors in mind I would say Lyon have the easier run in.

The next three weeks then are huge for both of these teams. Three games to go and plenty to contest for these two historic clubs.