PSG didn’t see Lille coming, no one saw them either
Well, the major surprise of the 2020/21 football season across Europe, in my opinion, came from Ligue 1 champions Lille, who shocked PSG and displaced them from their position as the most elite in French domestic football for the season.
I daresay that no one saw this coming, not even Paris Saint-Germain who have been dominating Ligue 1 for a while now. The rich cannot always have what they want, and this was the case of PSG as they lost out on the league title after the race went to the wire and was decided on the final day.
PSG didn’t start the season on a high and had a series of highs and lows as the seasons went by. Their inconsistencies cost them this season and the aftermath of the last matchday of the season passes the message that they still have rivals who can battle them domestically to the highest point for a league triumph if they fail to be consistent.
The Parisiens emerged victoriously in Ligue 1 last season with 68 points, as the season was called off after 27 games due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, the 2020/21 season ran its course, and although Lille’s eventual point tally of 83 points falls short of PSG’s and Monaco’s 90+ points triumph in previous seasons, it will do for Christophe Galtier’s men.
It can be recalled that the former champions parted ways with Thomas Tuchel and appointed Mauricio Pochettino in the course of the season. Regardless, Lille had a goal for the season, worked towards it, and put together a run that saw them leave the likes of Lyon and Monaco behind in the race.
The trolls could even say that a combo of Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino in one season couldn’t stand the determination of Galtier’s men who needed a win away to Angers on the final day to secure the league and they did with a 2:1 triumph.
PSG were away to Brest and hoped that Lille would capitulate under the pressure but this was not the case. Mauricio Pochettino’s men beat Brest 2:0 but the win counted for little as Les Dogues left nothing to chance.
It can be said that PSG failed on the domestic front by their standards considering the quality of their domestic opposition. They will be looking forward to making a statement by regaining the title of champions next season.
Regardless, they’ve learned a major lesson this season and will do their best to start on a high and also underrate no opponent next season.
