French top-20 team Ville Platte have been promoted from the Championship to the Europa League with a 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.
They have been in the top tier of the EPL for five years, having won the league title in 2013-14 and 2013-15, but have missed out on qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Their promotion to the Champions League was a major coup for the club, who have a history of success with the Europa league.
They had not played in Europe since they finished second in the 2014-15 Europa League qualifying group.
The side have scored just five goals in their last three league games, but are still unbeaten in the league and unbeaten in their league-leading five games.
They are also unbeaten in nine league games in all competitions and have not conceded a goal in the last six matches.
Paris Saint-Gaillard boss Nicolas Deschamps said: “We know that this is a difficult season for us.
But I am confident that we will be fine, that we have a good squad.”
We need to be patient.
I know that we can improve, but we know that if we want to win, we have to fight.
“Ville Plats last appearance in the Champions Leagues was in 2012-13, when they were relegated to the Championship.
They were relegated from the top flight in 2014-16, but qualified for the Europa Cup, where they lost 2-0 to Inter Milan.
Ville Plattes top scorer in the Europa Leagues is French international winger Yannick Sagna, who scored 13 goals in 27 appearances for Lyon last season.
Former Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, who played under Deschamp at the Stade Louis II, said:”Ville are very well-organised, very good tactically.
I have always said that the team will be strong, but I think that they need to improve in the other areas.
“In the last few games, they have conceded three goals in four games.
That is not good.”
Paris Saint Germain’s second goal was a sublime one from Yannou Gabay, who had a penalty controversially awarded in the 88th minute, after defender Eric Dier was fouled.
Gabay then scored his third and fourth goals in the game.
He said: “”I am very happy to play in front of my hometown.
I feel that I am a good player and I know it.
“He said the team had done well with its new coach, who he feels will bring an extra dimension to the team.
Gabays compatriot Alexandre Chubais added: “The team is very well organized and I think this will give a new dimension to it.
It will give us a new dynamic.
“Paris Saints were promoted to the top level of the European football league on a run of five wins from six matches in 2017-18.
They will play Olympiacos in their Europa League group on Friday.