Paris Saint-Germain have been crowned Ligue 1 champions with three games to spare, after Monaco’s 3-2 defeat to Lyon. Luis Enrique’s side drew 3-3 against Le Havre yesterday to all but wrap up a third successive crown. It is the twelfth time they have come top of the first tier in France. Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said “we will treasure this moment together as a family.”
Paris Saint-Germain have won a third successive French title after second-placed Monaco fell to a 3-2 defeat against Lyon on Sunday.
A 3-3 draw against Le Havre on Saturday left the defending champions 12 points clear of nearest challengers Monaco, who had four games left to play.
That meant the destination of L’Hexagoal was already all but nailed on ahead of Monaco’s trip to Lyon, where Malick Fofana’s late goal grabbed victory for the hosts.”Congratulations to all the players, our coach Luis Enrique and his staff, Luis Campos and his sports department, and everyone at the club,” club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi told the club’s website.
It has been a remarkable season for the defending champions, who have lost just once in the league this season, a 3-2 reversal to Nice in September. They are also through to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, where they will play Borussia Dortmund in the first leg on Wednesday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
In the league, they have racked up 20 victories from 31 matches, drawing on 10 occasions, and are undefeated away from home.
They have now finished top of the pile in France on 12 occasions, two clear of the next best total achieved by Saint-Etienne.
Ten of those crowns have come since Qatar Sports Investments bought the club in 2011, with the first achieved in 2012-13.
“Winning the league is fantastic,” Al-Khelaifi continued. “But to win Ligue 1 for the 12th time makes it even more special for everyone connected to Paris Saint-Germain.
“Since the very beginning of the season, the team has been so collective and united. I will also never forget the fans, who have been amazing whatever the result.
“We will treasure this moment together as a family, and also continue to work hard, match by match, until the last moment of the season.”
CLERMONT REGISTER VITAL WIN
At the other end of the table, Clermont earned a stay of execution by hammering Reims 4-1.
Pascal Gastien’s side were seven points from safety going into the weekend, but have given themselves a chance of survival thanks to defeats for Metz and Lorient, the latter of whom they play in their final game of the season.
But with only three rounds of fixtures remaining, time is still running out for the Lancers to hold onto their place in the top flight.