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PSG eager to grab second chance to wrap up French title
PARIS, April 12, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain have another chance
to wrap up the French Ligue 1 title on Sunday as Thomas Tuchel’s side travel
to second-placed Lille requiring just a point to finish the job.
PSG could have been crowned champions in record-equalling time last weekend
with a win at home to Strasbourg, but an extraordinary miss from on the goal
line by Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting ultimately proved crucial as they were held
to a 2-2 draw by Strasbourg.
Despite that anti-climax, it was always just a matter of time before the
Qatar-owned club won Ligue 1 for the second year in a row, and the sixth time
in seven seasons.
Against their nearest challengers, the task is a simple one — PSG are a
massive 20 points clear with a game in hand on Lille, who have seven matches
left.
A draw will therefore suffice for a Paris side who have lost just one
league game all season, otherwise they will get another opportunity at Nantes
next Wednesday.
One thing is for sure, Kylian Mbappe is likely to be back in the PSG
starting line-up after being rested last weekend, a decision that eventually
backfired.
“We use him too much. He has played nine matches in a row, always with the
responsibility to score goals,” explained Tuchel of the decision to hold back
the 20-year-old World Cup winner.
“The players need to be protected. This was the last chance to protect him.
It is not possible to always play Kylian.”
PSG could finish the campaign with a domestic double, as they face Rennes
in the French Cup final at the end of the month, although their season will
still be best remembered for their Champions League last-16 defeat at the
hands of Manchester United.
– Fabregas targeting Champions League –
Meanwhile, Lille are looking to hold on to second place and secure a return
to the Champions League next season, with the gap to Lyon below them five
points.
Lyon can switch the pressure onto Lille with a win at Nantes on Friday, but
they come into that game off the back of successive defeats.
That form has decreased the prospect of coach Bruno Genesio being offered a
new deal to remain next season, with recent speculation linking Laurent Blanc
and even Jose Mourinho with the job — Genesio said he laughed when he heard
the rumours the latter had been spotted at Lyon airport.
Further down the table, Monaco’s improvement since sacking Thierry Henry in
January has led them to the brink of safety.
They are now seven points clear of the bottom three before Saturday’s game
with Reims, and thoughts are slowly turning towards next season, when the
principality side will hope to be challenging at the top once again.
“For next season the objective set by the club is clear, we are not here
for a good time. We are here to take Monaco to the Champions League, it’s my
dream,” said Cesc Fabregas, brought to the Stade Louis II from Chelsea by
Henry.
“That means the objective is to compete with the best. The club knows what
it has to do to get there.
“No doubt there will be changes. Personally, I feel that I have the
strength to play for a few seasons yet at the top level.”
Fixtures (GMT)
Friday
Dijon v Amiens (1700), Nantes v Lyon (1845)
Saturday
Marseille v Nimes (1500), Caen v Angers, Monaco v Reims, Strasbourg v
Guingamp (all 1800)
Sunday
Montpellier v Toulouse, Rennes v Nice (both 1300), Saint-Etienne v Bordeaux
(1500), Lille v Paris Saint-Germain (1900).
BSS/AFP/GMR/0827 hrs