- PSG confirmed their record 11th Ligue 1 title last night at Stade de la Meinau despite the 1-1 draw against Strasbourg
- Manager Christophe Galtier’s future remains in doubt even after PSG clinched the 2022-23 Ligue 1 title
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) confirmed their record 11th Ligue 1 title last night at Stade de la Meinau despite the 1-1 draw against Strasbourg.
The Parisians now have an unassailable four-point lead over Lens heading into the final matchday of the 2022-23 season.
Lionel Messi’s goal clinched 11th Ligue 1 title for PSG. Photo/ KeepUp.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring for PSG in the 59th minute, with Kylian Mbappe providing the assist. The Argentine’s strike was his 496th in Europe’s top five leagues, taking him past Cristiano Ronaldo’s 495. It is his 32nd for PSG and could be his last as he is expected to leave the club this summer.
Strasbourg found the equalizer in the 79th minute, thanks to Kevin Gameiro’s strike. With Strasbourg safe from relegation, both teams played the final minutes of the game at low pace.
Manager Christophe Galtier’s future remains in doubt even after PSG clinched the 2022-23 Ligue 1 title. Speaking after the 1-1 draw with Strasbourg, Galtier said winning a title shouldn’t be seen as a normal thing even by PSG.
“This afternoon I watched the last day of the season in the Bundesliga and you can see that it is very difficult to win the league, any league. The reigning champions in all European leagues have often had problems this season, so we appreciate what this means. It is a title and we must not believe it is normal to win, even if we are Paris Saint-Germain.” BBC Sports quotes Christophe Galtier.
PSG’s ninth title in 12 years under the ownership of the Qatari sees them overtake Saint-Etienne’s ten, which were all picked between 1957 and 1981.
How The Game Unfolded
PSG and Strasbourg entered the contest on Saturday night having two different aims. Whereas PSG aimed to defend their Ligue 1 title with a win or at least a draw, the hosts were looking to stay in the league.
The Parisians dominated the game from the start as they tried to create chances to take an early lead. However, they were nearly caught when El Chadaille Bitshiabu’s underhit backpass was intercepted by Strasbourg’s Habib Diallo. Luckily for PSG, the angle proved too tight for Diallo to score.
Kylian Mbappe then reminded the Strabourg defence what he is capable of doing by dancing through the numerous bodies in the box in an attempt to find a shooting space. Ismael Doukoure did a brilliant job to stop the lethal Frenchman.
Renatos Sanchez hit a volley from the ensuing corner but it was brilliantly saved by Matz Sela. Lionel Messi had an opportunity to open the scoring but the hosts remained solid at the back.
PSG finally conjured a moment of magic in the second half with Mbappe working enough before sliding the ball to Lionel Messi who finished brilliantly. Strasbourg found themselves back in the game 20 minutes later, thanks to Kevin Gameiro’s strike. With the scoreline being 1-1, both teams played slow as they waited the full-time whistle.
Christophe Galtier’s future remains in doubt despite PSG winning the title. Photo/ France 24.
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