Despite a challenging week, French teams are not far behind their Dutch counterparts in the UEFA index.
French Teams' Performance in the Last Week
Last week proved tough for French teams, securing only a single point from two matches. Toulouse managed a draw against Saint-Gilloise, maintaining a strong position for second place. On the brighter side, Rennes, Lille, and Marseille emerged victorious in their matches on Thursday.
Marseille's win against Ajax Amsterdam, a Dutch team, gave a much-needed boost to France's UEFA index. The country moved from 9th to the 8th spot within the current season, surpassing Netherlands. However, the French still trail by 0.5 points in the five-year ranking – a key determinant of the UEFA index ranking.
The Path Ahead
Steps are being taken to improve this ranking. France is expected to acquire more points as Rennes, OM, and Lille finalize their group standings, potentially leapfrogging over the Netherlands. Also, it is anticipated that French teams will maintain a strong performance, providing a valid expectation of a higher ranking.
Dutch Teams' Performance
Meanwhile, the Netherlands has been leading with PSV Eindhoven advancing to the 1/8 finals of the Champions League, consequently enhancing their UEFA index. With respect to the number of teams competing in the latter half of the season, France could have five to six, as opposed to the Netherlands' two to four.
France will need further impressive performances from PSG to increase its index. Overall, while France is currently positioned 5th, trailing behind the Netherlands in the UEFA rankings, the situation is far from dismal. A continued robust performance from French teams, coupled with strategic wins, could help France climb the rankings in due time.