The Ligue 1 title race has gone down to the wire. Lille, PSG and AS Monaco all stand a chance to win the title on the final day of the season, with just three points separating the three sides. Lille lead the league presently, and a win over Angers would be enough for them to win the championship.
Few would have predicted that the Ligue 1 race would go down to the wire this season. The competition has been notoriously one-sided in the past decade, with Paris Saint-Germain winning all but one league title during the same time. However, this season is different. For one thing, it is competitive, meaning that the Parisiens didn’t wrap up the league by April. Instead, they are now at risk of losing the French crown to Lille, who lead the competition heading into its final matchday.
Lille have been brilliant throughout the season under the management of Christophe Galtier. The Frenchman has overseen a drastic transformation of a side that Marcelo Bielsa left behind, managing to turn them into title contenders in just four years. Under Galtier, Lille have finished second and fourth in the two previous seasons. They now have the chance to do the unthinkable by ending PSG’s dominance over the competition.
And yet, this could be the final chance that the current band gets to bask in the glory. Despite being on the verge of becoming a champion of France, Galtier is reportedly on his way to Lyon next season. Several players are expected to follow him out of the door in a massacre akin to the Monaco one back in 2017 – just weeks after they won the league.
Therefore, Lille’s match against Angers is extra significant, as it will likely be the final time some of the personnel are seen in the club’s colours. A title win is nothing less than Les Dogues deserves as well this season. They have been superb throughout, and winning the championship – over the financial giants that are PSG – would go down in history as one of their finest moments in organized sport. However, there is still work left to be done.
Key Players
Not much was expected of Angers this season. All things considered, they are a mid-table side in Ligue 1, and they have played like one too. Goals have been difficult to come by for the team. Those that have come by have usually originated from the same source – Angelo Fulgini. The central midfielder is Angers’ top scorer in the league this season with six, while he has also supplied three assists. He leads his teammates in both categories.
There has been a significant drop-off in Mathias Pereira Lage’s numbers over the last two years. The Portuguese was signed after a spell with Ligue 2 club Clermont Foot, from whom he scored nine goals and supplied four assists in 18/19. This season, Pereira Lage has scored just four times for Angers, although he has the capacity to create magic at times.
Lovingly called the Kral by his teammates and fans, Burak Yilmaz has led Lille from the front this season – like a king. Yilmaz was signed by Les Dogues on a free transfer ahead of the 2020/21 season. He has since scored 15 goals for the team and supplied five assists. While initially expected to be a backup striker to Jonathan David, Yilmaz soon took over the main responsibilities. He is expected to be the first name on the team sheet for the Angers match given his current form.
Lille spent the big bucks to sign Jonathan David from Gent this season. The Canadian forward replaced the outgoing Victor Osimhen but was unable to replicate his predecessor’s numbers immediately. However, David grew into his role over the course of the season and has enjoyed a proper resurgence since the turn of the year. He has scored 12 goals for Lille in the league this season – he will be hoping his 13th wins them the league.
Prediction
Nine years have passed since an Eden Hazard-led Lille won the French top division title. Hazard departed the club that summer, followed by several other key players such as Yohan Cabaye and Dimitri Payet. As if the exodus wasn’t enough, Lille then saw Paris Saint Germain bring in the riches and, along with it, the finest stars in football. The Parisiens have dominated the football scene in France since then, but Les Dogues have been given a rare chance to bite back this season.
There is too much on the line for Lille to be reticent against Angers. They are expected to take the game to their opponents, who have nothing on the line going into the final matchday. Lille’s performances this season are deserving of a title win – it is now in their hands to complete their fairytale win. One would expect them to finish the job that they have performed so admirably over the last ten months.
