WHAT HAPPENED?
Desire Doué’s goal in the second half secured a 1-0 victory for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) against Angers on Saturday evening, officially crowning them Ligue 1 champions for the 2024-25 season. With six matches remaining, PSG clinched their record-extending 13th Ligue 1 title, becoming champions earlier in the season than any other team in French top-flight history, except their own 2015-2016 campaign when they won with eight matches to spare.
Luis Enrique’s side has gone unbeaten in the league so far, achieving a remarkable 28-game streak. This title marks the club’s 13th Ligue 1 championship and adds to their already impressive tally of 53 total trophies, 35 of which have been won since the Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) era began in 2011.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
While PSG’s domestic dominance has been unquestionable, challenges persist on other fronts. This season, PSG reached the Coupe de France final, where they will face Stade de Reims on May 24 at the Stade de France. They were also victorious in the 2024 French Champions Trophy earlier this year, defeating Monaco 1-0 to claim their first trophy of the campaign.
In Europe, PSG remains a strong contender in the UEFA Champions League and is set to face Aston Villa in the quarterfinals, with the first leg scheduled for April 9. Although PSG has yet to win the prestigious tournament, consistent performances in the Champions League underline their strength on the continental stage. This season’s exceptional form, highlighted by standout players like Ousmane Dembélé and January recruit Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, bolsters their ambitions for European glory.
Domestically, PSG’s dominance continues to outshine their rivals. Their lead over second-placed AS Monaco is now a mountain the Monegasques won’t be able to climb, with 74 points in the standings compared to Monaco’s potential maximum of 71 points, as confirmed after the match against Angers.
DID YOU KNOW?
PSG struggled in recent seasons with the battle of egos in the team, in an attacking front that included, at the same time, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Leo Messi. All the players have since left the Parisian team, and the chemistry has seemed to improve ever since.
Meanwhile, standout players this season include young winger Desire Doué, whose goal against Angers was his fifth of the league campaign, and Ousmane Dembélé, currently Ligue 1’s top scorer with 21 goals.
WHAT NEXT FOR PSG?
PSG’s remaining domestic and European challenges include maintaining their unbeaten league record, winning the Coupe de France final against Reims, and advancing in the Champions League. Their first leg against Aston Villa in the quarterfinals takes place on April 9 in Paris, with Marquinhos suspended for the match.
As PSG continues its pursuit of excellence under Luis Enrique, their dominance on the French stage seems firmly established. However, as their European campaigns show, the true test of their mettle may lie in achieving Champions League success.
