The Lille Deal

07/12/20 1527

Paris Saint-Germain have won seven of the last eight Ligue 1 titles. Since Qatari Sports Investment’s takeover of the club, they have been nailed on title winners before the beginning of each season with the real challenge being just how many points the team will collect.

Only once since QSI’ purchase of Paris Saint-Germain has a club thrown the league into chaos, stopping the Parisians from winning the title. In 2017-18, an incredible Monaco side featuring Kylian Mbappe upset the apple cart, winning Ligue 1.

After weakening themselves through player sales, including selling Mbappe to Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco fell away from the title fight. Since the 2017-18, Paris Saint-Germain have had no rival for the title.

Now, Paris Saint-Germain's grip on the trophy could end as Christophe Galtier’s Lille strengthened their case for the Ligue 1 championship on Sunday.

Playing less than 72 hours after defeating Sparta Prague 2-1 in the Europa League group stage, Lille outplayed Monaco in a 2-1 thriller.

Going into the game, both teams found themselves in the top 5 of Ligue 1. Galtier’s tactics were spot on, denying Monaco clear scoring chances until late in the game.

With 13 games down, Lille are just two points behind Paris Saint-Germain in the title race. The top of the Ligue 1 table is very close as Lyon, Marseille, Monaco, and Montpellier are all within five points of the leaders.

Lille have lost once and their recent run of form has been all the more impressive with influential midfielder Renato Sanches out of the team due to a muscle injury.

The rest of Les Dogues squads have stepped up in Sanches’ departure including record transfer signing Jonathan David.

Les Dogues have been spot on in their actual points and expected points figures. Lille have taken 26 points compared to an expected point figure of 23.87.

The attack has scored 24 goals compared to 20.03 expected goals. Galtier’s side is overachieving and on track to make the Champions League at the very least.

Although David is the club’s record signing, only flashes of his potential have been witnessed at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. David has two goals and an assist in 13 matches.

In spite of struggling in front of goal, David’s work-rate has been excellent along with his hold-up play.

David may be the club’s record signing, but fellow summer recruit Burak Yilmaz has been the most significant attacking player for Galtier. The 35-year-old scored goals for fun in the Turkish Super Lig.

Now, he is powering Lille with six goals and four assists. One of those assists came against Monaco for the game winner on Sunday, setting up Yusuf Yazici for his fourth goal of the campaign.

The big question is: Can Lille keep up their form? If they can stay consistent while Paris Saint-Germain drop points, then Lille can certainly win Ligue 1.

Paris Saint-Germain face a reinvigorated Lyon on matchday 14 while Lille have a winnable game versus Bordeaux. Marseille and Monaco, two other title hopefuls, will meet on matchday 14 as well. Les Dogues could take a serious step toward the title.