Ligue 1: the race for the podium is totally relaunched!

On March 1st, Lyon had a temporary 8-point lead over Marseille in the 80th minute. However, a completely botched end to the match at the Vélodrome against the Olympian rival prevented Lyon from having a more comfortable cushion for the third place. Despite Marseille closing in two points, Lyon did not foresee the return of other competitors. Before the Marseille game, Lyon had an 8-point lead over Rennes and Lille, as well as an eleven-point advantage over Monaco. However, just like rising temperatures, this lead melted away before crucial matches.

In the last three matches, all of Lyon’s competitors have started winning streaks while Paulo Fonseca’s men remain winless in the elite league after four matches. Marseille secured two wins after the Olympico victory and reclaimed the third spot. Monaco, performing impressively for weeks, has won five games in a row and is only four points behind Lyon and six behind Marseille. Still undefeated in six elite matches, Lille defeated Rennes on Sunday and closed in on Lyon by three points. Rennes, picking up momentum under Franck Haise despite a loss to Lille, is also in the mix at the same level as Monaco. In total, five teams are within six points for the third place.

Direct confrontations will play a crucial role in determining the final standings. After beating Rennes, Bruno Genesio emphasized the importance of defeating direct rivals for European places, acknowledging the tight competition with Marseille, Lyon, Rennes, and Monaco. Looking ahead, matches in the upcoming weeks will be pivotal for teams vying for top positions. Monaco will face Lyon and host Marseille, potentially shaking up the standings significantly. The race for the third place promises to be intense until the last match, a reality that seemed unlikely just weeks ago when Lyon and Marseille appeared to be distant from unstable competition.

Published on March 16, 2026 12:46 – Last updated on March 17, 2026 00:00.