Paris is the only major footballing capital city in Europe with just one professional football team. Paris Saint-Germain therefore carry more pressure on their shoulders than most big sides on the continent. It is a strange phenomenon of recent times that the Parisians have been out of the European football limelight for so long, and somewhat remarkable to reflect on the fact that they are a club who were officially ranked the best in Europe by UEFA a little over 15 years ago.
Following their recent defeat to Nancy, the club from the capital find themselves a point behind Lille at the top of the French football pyramid as they seek to celebrate their 40th anniversary with a return to the summit of Ligue 1 and secure their third title success.
As well as second place in Ligue 1, the Parisians qualified in impressive fashion from their Europa League group, topping Group J ahead of Sevilla and German league leaders Borussia Dortmund, and without losing a single game.
It is perhaps a surprise that the Parisians have not hit the heights of first place in France yet; the list of teams who have led the French league this campaign is almost as long as the queue outside the Eurostar terminal at Kings Cross St. Pancras following a snowstorm. Then again, that list does not include powerhouses Lyon or Bordeaux either.
To further emphasise the bizarre nature of the league this season, Lille were stuck near the bottom of the table with just one point from four games in August after a 3-0 defeat to PSG. Four months later and they are sitting at the top. PSG though should look forward with optimism to the coming months as they have put themselves in a perfect position to launch a serious title challenge. With attacking flair, experience and talented youngsters, it could be the Parisians time to return to the top.
The key to winning a league title, whichever the country, has always been consistency. For PSG, consistency could be what gives them the edge: The defeat to Nancy was just their second loss in 22 games in all competitions. However, in this statistic lies a challenge. The club have lost four of their 16 games this year in the league, and that run includes a number of European and cup games. The biggest challenge for the capital club now is to cope with the demands of competing priorities and try and develop more consistency in Ligue 1. If PSG can build on this and convert draws into victories, they will be one of the leading contenders for the title in May.
The French league is becoming increasingly competitive, and some of the more unorthodox contenders could be battling for the title as the season wears on. Lille look like they will take some beating, whilst Rennes are proving a tough test for anyone and have shown impressive fortitude this season.
Lyon however, pose a significant threat to PSG’s hopes. Claude Puel’s side started the season in horrific form, but since a derby defeat to Saint-Etienne, are 11 games unbeaten, and showing a consistency which could see them take charge of the league in the new year. There is the chance that Lyon will build on this and move into an unassailable lead as the season progresses.
PSG are getting there though, and as the season wears on, are rising steadily and beginning to play their part in the title race. In the summer, manager Antoine Kombouare was able to bring the trio of Siaka Tiene, Néné and Mathieu Bodmer to the club. It is the latter two who are perhaps the most important parts of the resurgence of the sleeping giants, with Néné’s goals propelling the Parisians towards the top. The flying Brazilian winger has struck 13 goals and has been one of the stars of this year’s campaign. Néné, 29 years old, previously a better than average player at AS Monaco, has developed into a fine competitor this season, adding goals to his game and forming a lethal partnership with Guillame Hourau, PSG’s top scorer last season. Kombouare might want to consider defensive reinforcements in January though, with his side’s defence looking weak at times this season.
But there is another reason to play up the club’s chances; experience. In Gregory Coupet, Claude Makelele and Ludovic Giuly, PSG have world and European champions who know what it takes to last the distance. Combined with the youthful exuberance and skills of the impossibly young Mamadou Sakho and Clement Chantome, the club have the balance of a squad that can mount a challenge.
Néné sums up the Parisians newly found ambitious streak, stating that the club can be champions this year, whilst striker Hourau has believes that they should at least win a trophy. Chairman Robin Leproux, by contrast, has been a steady influence at the top of the club, giving Komboaure the funds to bring in the likes of Néné and Bodmer, demonstrating his ambition, but simultaneously playing down expectations. Leproux has insisted that the club won’t finish in the top three this season to keep pressure off his side, but deep down he will know that in a tight and competitive French league, an improving PSG have as good a chance as anyone as the second half of the season gets under way.
For a club that finished 13th last season, it is understandable for Leproux to see a top six finish as adequate, but with half of the season gone and only Lille ahead of his side, they have a chance to mount a serious attempt to bring the title back to Paris for the first time since 1994.
Having had three of France’s biggest four clubs win the league in the last three seasons (Lyon, Bordeaux and Marseille), it should not be a surprise to anyone if Kombouare’s side finally return to the summit of the French game.
