Third in the provisional classification but champion for an overwhelming majority of observers: PSG remains the favorite of Ligue 1. During the holidays, we interviewed 54 football specialists, whether they are consultants, coaches or former players of the Championship. of France. The consultation we publish this Monday is (almost) final: the capital club will finish in first place on the podium in the spring for 43 of them, such as Sidney Govou, Bixente Lizarazu, Eric Carrière or Jérôme Rothen.
Paris, however, is only in third place after 17 days, behind Lille and Lyon. Such a situation had already occurred in 2016-2017. Monaco and Nice were then ahead of PSG, the Principality’s club even ending up being crowned at the end of an almost perfect season. The current ranking and the four defeats at the start of the season (among other deeper reasons) even pushed the Parisian management to change coaches. Exit Thomas Tuchel, welcome Mauricio Pochettino.
“I would have made the same prognosis without this change,” says the former Red Star coach, Régis Brouard, who sees OL and Losc complete the podium. The arrival of a new coach does not change the stranglehold of PSG on Ligue 1. I think they risk, in addition, to improve with the transfer window. “” For me, that does not change the profile of the team, bid Alain Giresse, with a similar prognosis. This is not a given that I have considered. The imposing Parisian workforce, armed with Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, Marquinhos or Keylor Navas, pushes our jury to see a 10th title fill the trophy room of the Parc des Princes.
Few votes for OM
Conversely, Philippe Bergeroo, passed on the bench of PSG, considers that “Pochettino is a good coach but that the transplant must take”. An uncertainty which encourages him to see Lyon ahead of Paris. They are eleven to imagine a rebellion: nine vote Lyon and two for Lille as future champion. For Camille Abily, assistant coach of OL girls, “the heart speaks”. But she believes that “it is a good year for Lyon to focus 100% on the championship in the absence of the European Cup”.
After having recorded only one victory in six initial days, the workforce of Rudi Garcia remains on nine successes, including one in Paris, and two draws. A series that allows him to temporarily take pride of place in the championship. But how the club led by Jean-Michel Aulas will manage the winter transfer window and, in particular, the imminent end of contract of Memphis Depay? This data does not necessarily cool our jury: 53 out of 54 place OL on the podium.
The consultation leaves little room for Olympique de Marseille. Eight voters only believe that the Phocéens will be able to reach one of the first three places despite their two games late to play (and 8 points behind Lyon). “Even if the change of president in Lille and the possible sale of players can have consequences and serve OM”, concludes Elie Baup.
Newsletter PSG express
Our information on the capital club
Among the 54 experts questioned, two of them develop their arguments and explain why PSG or Olympique Lyonnais have the assets to become champion of France.
IT VOTE PSG: “There is no picture with the rest of the competition”
Philippe Jeannol (1986 French champion with PSG)
“There is nothing emotional about my choice. It’s just realistic. Even if Lyon sometimes offers a very good game and Lille has achieved great things, Paris is simply superior. I don’t know if the change of coach will strengthen the team but, in this kind of situation, there is often a boost and a questioning of some to please the new coach. The workforce will re-mobilize. And, in Paris, if everyone decides to play on its value, there is absolutely no picture with the rest of the competition.
In my opinion, January will be very important to seal the fate of this championship. If the PSG, as I believe, starts to crush everything as soon as the restart, the others will understand that their only objective will be second place. There is no telling stories: there is only one team in Ligue 1 which aligns some of the best players in the world on the pitch: it is Paris. Not Lyon, Lille or Marseille. And these guys will make a difference in the end. When they’re in the game, no one can compete. And no one will compete. “
IL VOTE LYON: “The level of OL is really very interesting”
Dominique Bijotat (1982 French champion with Monaco and 1984 Olympic champion)
“I fully assume to be the only one in your consultation to put PSG neither first nor second. What PSG released in the first part of the season does not make me optimistic for this club. Of course, there is the virus that perhaps handicaps them more than others. There were injuries, absences and few vacations with the Champions League. But, despite all this, PSG do not give enough guarantees. How many sparkling matches has he produced? And I really see a big weak point in this team, it’s their midfielder when Verratti is not there. The others are less good. This essential foundation for a very high level team is missing. And I don’t know if a single change of coach will be enough to solve all the problems.
At the same time, Lyon’s level is really very interesting and this team will not lose strength with the European Cup. The workforce will be managed quietly around the single championship. That will be all for Ligue 1. And I also really like the dynamism of Lille, which is playing at a very high level. This year, Paris falls on two very strong competitors for the title. “
