How did last season unfold
Although PSG were expected to cruise towards another Ligue 1 title. The 2020-21 Ligue 1 Season shocked all fans as Lille were crowned champions ahead of PSG. Who have been crowned champions 6 times in the last seven years failed to capitalize on certain occasions . Lille shocked the whole of France by winning the title by single point. PSG were then followed by Monaco and Lyon to wrap up the top four. In what was arguably the most exciting title race in France in a long time. As the new season unfolds. Many expect PSG to dominate. But could be in for another surprise consider what happened last season?
Favorites
By far the favorites for this season is Paris Saint-Germain or as we call them PSG. PSG have been a dominate force in Ligue 1, ever since they were bought by Qatari owners. They created a team which consists of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Marquinhos, etc. The issue here is PSG spend loads of money on superstars and fail massively other than the League. Nonetheless,
PSG will remain favorites to win the Ligue 1 title this year as their squad is still strong and they will look back on last year’s misery and focus on doing better. With Coach Mauricio Pochettino signing an extension this past summer, it looks to be a new year for PSG and expectations are set high. And with the addition of Achraf Hakimi and Gianluigi Donnarumma PSG look scary.
There aren’t that many other favorites that can come close to beating PSG other than Lille and Lyon. But for Lille it has been a very tough summer, as their title winning squad could be ripped into shambles. All the hard work done by the management and the board could be wiped away. Already goalkeeper Mike Maignan and coach Christop Galtier leaving. Renato Sanches, Jonathan David, Jonathan Ikone and Jonathan Bamba all being linked with moves away.
It could be an end towards another good campaign for Lille. My guess is that they will have some way to secure European football. Although it may seem like Lille is losing a lot of their squad, I still believe that they will be able to finish in the top four
European Battle
Olympique Lyonnais are big contenders to bounce back from a poor campaign. After missing out on Champions League football, Memphis Depay leaving for Barcelona on a free transfer and a couple other player leaving on permanent transfers. Although that may not be bad news, more players from Lyon are looking to leave. With Houssem Aouar asking to leave the club for a new challenge. Nonetheless it looks like it will be a tough campaign for new coach Peter Bosz. Although it may seem like Lyon haven’t been doing any transfer activity, they are actively looking in the transfer market to bulk up the squad. My prediction is that Lyon will finish in third place.
Olympique Marseille are in a summer rebuild mode and look to be the most threatening team in the transfer market fro French clubs. With mid-season change of coaches from Andreas-Villas Boas to Jorge Sampoli it looked like Marseille weren’t going to make it for European football. But they finished up in sixth place getting a qualification spot. With summer singings from Arsenal of Matteo Guendouzi and William Saliba, and Brazilian midfielder Gerson. It is with clear intent that Marseille are in the hunt for Champions League football. My prediction for Marseille is that they will get fourth place
AS Monaco have begun a resurgent campaign after almost getting relegated twice in the last three years. After capturing the Ligue 1 title in 2016/17, their squad got completely ripped apart. But after going through coach after coach, they seemed to have found some stability. Head coach Niko Kovac and with players like Kevin Volland, Ruben Aguilar, Enzo Millot, etc. Helping the club move forward and back into the Champions League. Monaco will be expected to be in the top six.
Relegation Candidates
Each year there are new teams promoted and then get relegated, but in Ligue 1 it is different every year. With Troyes and Clermont Foot being the newly promoted teams, they will have a lot of work to do. Especially to earn respect in Ligue 1 and to stay up it is a lot of work and transfers to do. But teams that are also vulnerable in Ligue 1 are Nantes, Brest, Lorient, Strasbourg. They are lucky to be in Ligue 1 and must make sure they strengthen up their team in an effort to avoid relegation.
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