Lille dethrone PSG in French Ligue 1

Lille dethrone PSG after winning the French Ligue 1

 

Lille are the champions of France after a successful season. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

It’s been a long-standing stronghold, PSG since the big takeover by the Qatari big wigs have dominated the French Ligue 1 and despite the blip in 2017, three consecutive titles have now been halted by a very brave Lille side, we can call it a coup-de-tat.

Lille won the Ligue 1 for the first time since an Eden Hazard inspired showing in 2011, their fifth title since existence having won as well in 1933, 1946 and 1954.

The warning signs were there but no one took them serious, Lille finished second and fourth in the last two seasons but not a single bookmaker thought them to be good enough for the title especially with PSG remaining dominant and Monaco emerging from the dead.

Christophe Galtier has led Lille OSC to the title having top the table for 18 weeks, holding off a late resurgence from PSG and producing sensational talents like the Leicester City-bound Boubakar Soumare, Mike Maignan who holds the golden gloves title as well as 21-year-old Sven Botman.

"It's a great performance. It's incredible," said Galtier, who is expected to leave the side he took over when they were set to battle relegation in 2017.

"It was a long, tough day, we were under a lot of pressure and beating PSG on the last day is outstanding," said Galtier. "The credit goes to the players. This team scored points against their title rivals. I can't forget that they beat PSG away after losing against Nimes at home.

"I love this squad. I love these players."

Lille recorded 43 points from 18 away games, the best in the land and best the trio of PSG, Monaco and Lyon on the top four head to head, giving them an advantage going into the last game of the season and the 2-1 at Angers crowned their efforts as PSG breathed down their necks.

What next for Lille and their exciting talents? 

Jose Fonte isn’t young but his partnership with Botman remains the best in the land, cherry-picking is expected with bigger clubs around Europe circling their players and waiting to poach.

Everyone deserves credit, from the manager to every single player, Renato Sanchez on loan from Bayern was thought to have been spent after a failed loan spell at Swansea, Burak Yilmaz rolled back the years and delivered when it mattered most, scoring six times in the last five.

PSG will regroup no doubt, Lyon is falling apart and Monaco is building again after a successful season, winning the league is one thing, sustaining the buzz is another, what will become of this Lille side?