News Focus
- AS Monaco lose 1-0 to Lille OSC in crucial Ligue 1 clash
- Defeat leaves club in seventh place with only one match left
- Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky says performance was not good enough for Europe’s top competition
- Club now needs specific final-day results to qualify for UEFA Europa Conference League
- Monaco must win last game and hope Olympique de Marseille lose to Stade Rennais
AS Monaco have ended their hopes of reaching next season’s Champions League. The French club lost 1-0 to Lille OSC on Sunday evening. This result leaves them in seventh position in the table.
The team from the Principality now faces a difficult final weekend. They must win their last match of the season. They also need Olympique de Marseille to lose against Stade Rennais. Only then can they move up to sixth place.
There is still a chance to play in Europe next season. Monaco could qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League. This will happen if RC Lens beat OGC Nice in the final of the Coupe de France.
Lukas Hradecky spoke honestly about the team’s performance. The goalkeeper said Monaco do not deserve a place in the Champions League. “Tonight’s match showed that we do not belong in the Champions League,” he told reporters. “We can forget about it. We must do much better as a team and as a club.”
The Finnish international gave his comments in the mixed zone after the match. His words show the deep disappointment within the squad.