Ligue 1 Team Stats
French league
Ligue 1
Understanding Ligue 1 Team Stats
French Ligue 1 clubs get no points for a loss, one point for a draw, and three points for winning. Some Ligue 1 stats by team that are also common are shots, goals, goal difference, and possession. All of these stats are available in the Ligue 1 standings or game summaries.Â
One of the most important of these stats is goal difference. Abbreviated as GD, goal difference is simply goals scored subtracted by goals against. It can come into play in the Ligue 1 title race, in the European qualification, and in relegation. That’s because it’s the initial tiebreaker when teams have the same number of points at season’s end. Check out the Ligue 1 standings always, as a safety measure when betting.
Other soccer team stats are also important for betting. Clean sheets reflect the ability of a team’s goalie and defense. For suspension purposes, it’s crucial to keep track of disciplinary cards. Check out the latest Ligue 1 news and betting analysis.
Ligue 2 - Second Division
Ligue 2 is one level below Ligue 1 on the French soccer pyramid. Like in Ligue 1, 20 teams compete in Ligue 2 each season. At the end of each season, the top two teams are automatically promoted to Ligue 1. Also, the Ligue 2 promotion playoff champion faces the 18th-place team in Ligue 1 in home and away playoffs. The winner plays in Ligue 1 for the following season.Â
The bottom two teams in Ligue 1 are relegated to Ligue 2 each season, without exception. Similarly, the bottom two teams in Ligue 2 are automatically sent down to the third tier Championnat National. The 18th-place team in Ligue 2 also plays the third place Championnat team in a two-leg playoff. The playoff champion plays in Ligue 2 the following season.
French Ligue Relegated Teams by Season
This is the latest part of the Ligue 1’s story in 2023 – a look at the clubs that have recently moved from the top level of French soccer to join the competitive challenge of Ligue 2. This change is called relegation, and it adds an element of surprise to the sport we love.
Relegation is a big moment for a team. It’s when they are tested to see how strong they are, how well they can plan, and how they can change to adapt. In the lower levels of soccer, these teams that were relegated have a chance to come together, think of new ideas, and work hard to make their way back to playing in Ligue 1.
Here’s a list of the teams that have moved from playing in the main stadiums of Ligue 1 to the tough battlegrounds of Ligue 2.
Angers Sco
- Angers SCO’s fate sealed: Relegated to Ligue 2 confirmed.
- Defeat against Rennes: 4-2 loss in Ligue 1 gameweek 33 led to relegation.
- Required victory missed: Needed to win against Rennes to avoid relegation.
- Match highlights: Angers started strong with Bentaleb penalty. Rennes took 2-1 lead with Gouiri and Hountondji own goal. Niane’s equalizer lifted hopes. Doku’s brace secured Rennes’ win.
- Transfer ban imposed: FIFA-imposed ban for two windows due to dispute with Espérance de Tunis over Ilyes Chetti’s free transfer.
- Chetti’s situation: Faces suspension from club due to four-month suspended prison sentence for sexual assault.
- Legal action planned: Angers to appeal transfer ban through Court of Arbitration for Sport.
- Critical months ahead: Rebuilding after relegation, compounded by impending departure of 16 players at contract end.
AC Ajaccio
- AC Ajaccio’s Ligue 1 journey ends: Relegation confirmed after 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes.
- Failed survival attempt: Fell 11 points short of safety with four games remaining.
- Survival chances slim: Required unexpected win against reigning champions, Paris Saint-Germain.
- Hope crushed in defeat: Despite spirited efforts, Ajaccio’s hopes crushed in Paris.
- Defeat highlights: Kylian Mbappe’s brace, goals from Hakimi, Ruiz, and Youssouf own goal sealed Ajaccio’s fate.
- Disappointing return to Ligue 2: Recently-promoted team secured second place in Ligue 2 last season for top-tier spot.
- Tough season: Lack of offensive prowess made the season challenging for Ajaccio.
- Relegation’s quiet end: Ajaccio’s return to Ligue 2 sealed without a fight, ending a disappointing journey.
AJ Auxerre
- AJ Auxerre’s Ligue 1 journey ends: Relegation confirmed with a 3-1 loss to Lens on the season’s final day.
- Swift return to Ligue 2: Brief stay in top division followed by quick relegation.
- Defeat seals fate: Loss against Lens finalized Auxerre’s relegation.
- Struggles evident: Team faced challenges throughout the season.
- Final matchday confirmation: Relegation status solidified on the last day of the season.
- Future challenges: Club faces a tough road ahead as they regroup for upcoming Ligue 2 season.
ES Troyes AC
- ES Troyes AC’s Ligue 1 journey ends: Relegated to Ligue 2 with a 4-0 loss to Stade Rennais.
- Decisive defeat: 4-0 loss sealed their relegation fate and concluded their top-flight tenure.
- Inevitable relegation: Faced a 12-point gap from safety with three matches remaining.
- Coach’s efforts: Patrick Kisnorbo led the team since November 2022 but struggled to secure victories.
- Urgent rebuilding: Relegation carries urgency for club to regroup and prepare for Ligue 2 after a challenging season.
Relegated teams are the teams that descended from the Ligue 1, in this 2022-2023 season, and moved into the Ligue 2. Here’s the list of the relegated teams:
AS Saint-Etienne
- AS Saint-Etienne is historically one of France’s best clubs. As of 2022, they’ve won a joint-record 10 Ligue 1 titles. However, their fall from grace has been a long process which culminated in relegation at the end of 2021-22. After finishing in 18th place, Saint-Etienne lost in penalties to Auxerre in the promotion/relegation playoff. Now, ASSE are playing in Ligue 2 for the first time since 2004.
- FC Girondins de Bordeaux finished in last place in the 2021-22 Ligue 1 season. So, Bordeaux were relegated for the first time in over 30 years. They were also slated to be administratively relegated to the third-tier Championnat National due to financial difficulties. However, they won their appeal in July and are playing in Ligue 2 in the 2022-23 season.
FC Metz
- FC Metz had a trying season in Ligue 1 in 2021-22. Their top scorer, Nicolas de Preville, scored just five Ligue 1 goals en route to a 19th place finish. Metz have bounced around the top two tiers in the last decade but have typically done well in their Ligue 2 appearances. Their last three Ligue 2 seasons have finished in promotion to Ligue 1.