The 3rd round of Ligue 1 will be played over four days instead of three, from Thursday 3 September to Sunday 6 September. It will start with the Toulouse-Lille match, exceptionally advanced to Thursday 3 at 20h45 at the request of the Ligue 1+ broadcaster. This exceptional programming has been accepted by both clubs. This programming - which had to be done in advance of the 3rd preliminary round and the Champions League qualifying match - has responded to a potential qualification of Olympique Lyonnais in the Champions League, whose first day of the league phase will be played the following week: September 8, 9 and 10.
Why Toulouse-Lille is advanced to Thursday 3 September
Ligue 1+ had to adapt to a European calendar that was decided by UEFA. Indeed, if Lyon qualifies in the Champions League, OL would play their first match on Tuesday 8 September, the same evening as Lille. While PSG is assured to play on Wednesday 9 and it has been announced at RC Lens that they will play on Thursday 10.
What does it mean for Toulouse Football Club?
This exceptional programming responds to a potential qualification of Olympique Lyonnais in the Champions League. This means that Toulouse Football Club will have to play their match against Lille on Thursday 3 September, at 20h45, instead of Friday 4 September.
What comes next?
Ligue 1+ has programmed five prime-time matches during the week preceding the entry of French clubs in the European Cup. Toulouse-Lille will be broadcast on Thursday 3 September, at 20h45, followed by PSG-Monaco, on Friday 4 September, at 20h45, and Nice-Le Mans and Le Havre-Brest, on Saturday 5 September, at 20h45. Marseille-Paris FC will be broadcast on Sunday 6 September, at 20h45.
Toulouse Football Club is currently 10th in Ligue 1, with 37 points, 10 wins, 7 draws and 13 losses, for 41 goals scored and 42 goals conceded. They are 26 points behind the leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
