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Paris Saint-Germain can wrap up their second straight Ligue 1 title as relegation-threated Sochaux provide what could be their final obstacle tomorrow. A 10-point lead, following a sparkling domestic campaign which has seen Laurent Blanc’s side suffer just two defeats, means the title is theirs with a lunch-time win away to Sochaux or 24 hours earlier if Monaco lose at relegated Ajaccio. |
Herve Renard, the flamboyant Sochaux coach who memorably led Zambia to their first African championship in 2012, has worked miracles to lift his men within three points of safety after taking over in mid-season.
The Frenchman would ideally hope PSG arrive at the Stade Auguste Bonal with the title wrapped up and in relaxed mood to face his players, who he told recently to “never give up” in their remarkable bid to avoid the drop.
While PSG’s season was severely damaged by their Champions League quarter-final exit against Chelsea, a 2-1 victory in the League Cup final last weekend over Lyon and a laboured 1-0 midweek win over Evian has helped lift the gloom of another failed European campaign.
Blanc was hardly satisfied by the form of his players on Wednesday and is just eager to tie up the title race before deciding on his own future for next season. “It wasn’t our best match of course but we got the job done,” said Blanc, following Blaise Matuidi’s late winner against Evian.
“We have to improve (against Sochaux) or we’ll have the same problems and it’s up to the players and staff to think about this. Nothing is ever accomplished in football if you don’t put in the necessary ingredients,” former Bordeaux and France coach said.
While few, if any, believe PSG can self-destruct from their position of power, a celebration has already been planned for the final day of the season on May 18 when Montpellier come to the capital’s cauldron. After the ugly scenes of violence and hooliganism that marred their trophy celebration last year, it has already decided there will be no party in the streets of Paris this time around.
