Paris Saint-Germain picked up the Ligue 1 title in 2014, their fourth general, ending simply 9 factors away from promoted AS Monaco who ended the marketing campaign in second with a formidable 80 factors.
It was Lille who prevailed in opposition to a cussed Saint-Etienne aspect to say a spot within the Champions League, whereas Lyon had been consigned to the Europa League alongside their Rhone rivals. Marseille, who endured a depressing season completed sixth, however couldn’t qualify for Europe with cup winners Guingamp assured a spot within the continental competitors.
On the different finish, OGC Good survived by the pores and skin of their tooth, becoming a member of former champions Montpellier and Guingamp on 42 factors, simply two forward of Sochaux who suffered relegation.
CHANGES
There have been loads of modifications heading into the 2013-14 marketing campaign, not least by AS Monaco who introduced themselves again into the top-flight with a shocking double coup of James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao. The latter, a goalscoring hot-shot for Atletico Madrid was wished by all the key sides in Europe, however as a substitute opted for the newly promoted aspect within the principality.
The pair had been joined by Joao Moutinho, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Lacina Traore as Monaco sought to make a splash on the home stage, earlier than setting themselves up for a tilt on the Champions League.
Their richer rivals within the north had been to not be outdone nevertheless, as PSG signed Edinson Cavani from Napoli, in addition to Marquinhos from AS Roma.. Lucas Digne and Yohan Cabaye had been additionally introduced in so as to add a home really feel to the Qatari undertaking because the house owners started a severe push on the Champions League trophy.
The one severe offers of be aware outdoors the highest two had been the arrivals of Florian Thauvin and Dimitri Payet from Lille to Marseille, whereas Saint-Etienne offered star striker Pierre Emerick Aubameyang to Borussia Dortmund. Rudi Garcia, double winner with Lille simply three years beforehand moved on to AS Roma on the shut season.
SEASON SUMMARY
AS Monaco had been just about all the trend heading into the season given their switch outlay, and Claudio Ranieri’s males didn’t disappoint within the early levels.
It will be November earlier than they tasted defeat by the hands of Lille, doing fantastically properly within the early a part of the season with wins in opposition to Marseille and Lyon and a extremely creditable 1-1 draw away to PSG in what was dubbed as ‘the Cashico’.
Wanting again, it was a excessive variety of attracts which finally denied the principality aspect the title, however they had been bettered by a PSG crew who themselves got here good on their very own sizeable switch outlay with 89 factors from 38 video games.
Rene Girard, who led Montpellier to a shock league win in 2012 managed a Champions League qualification with Lille on the finish of a passable marketing campaign for them based mostly on a stable defence and a quite uninspiring assault.
They had been largely lauded for the best way they managed continental qualification with out star man Dimitri Payet, who was offered to Marseille. The person they thought would exchange him had promptly determined to affix him there too.
Whereas Marseille had been within the Champions League, they turned the primary former champions to safe roughly 0 factors within the group stage. Elie Baup, the a lot maligned coach was promptly sacked after a 1-0 defeat to Nantes in December, and with no obvious successor on the radar, it was left to sporting director Jose Anigo to take the crew in direction of the top of the season as OM spluttered over the end line in sixth.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic gained the Participant of the Season award in his second marketing campaign in France, main PSG to the title with a return of 26 objectives.
MANAGER OF THE SEASON
Rene Girard
In what was considered a shock victory, it was Girard who claimed the managerial award – defeating the managers who completed above him (Laurent Blanc and Claudio Ranieri).
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE SEASON
Marco Verratti
There proved to be little shock ultimately as Marco Verratti claimed the Younger Participant of the Season award, defeating Serge Aurier, James Rodriguez and Layvin Kurzawa. The Italy worldwide was mesmeric in midfield and instrumental to PSG’s success.
TOP GOALSCORER
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
With 26 objectives, Ibrahimovic secured the highest scorer award as soon as extra, defending the title he gained the earlier season.
TEAM OF THE SEASON
SIRIGU; AURIER, T SILVA, PERRIN, KURZAWA; VERRATTI, MOTTA; JAMES RODRIGUEZ; CAVANI, IBRAHIMOVIC
GOAL OF THE SEASON
Ibrahimovic (PSG v Bastia)
A objective that was watched numerous instances over the course of the 12 months. Ibrahimovic’s spectacular karate kick objective in opposition to Bastia was the preferred with voters.
MOST EXPENSIVE TRANSFER
Edinson Cavani
Napoli to PSG
€64m
KEY MOMENT OF THE SEASON
Lorient 4-4 Montpellier
An unimaginable recreation. MHSC had been right down to 10 males, however one way or the other raced right into a 4-1 lead with three minutes to go. Les Merlus would equalise with three objectives – two in added time – to grab a degree in a memorable Ligue 1 encounter.
