Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 10:42 PM• Jonathan van Haaster • Last update: 22:48

Paris Saint-Germain has won the French national title with almost 100 percent certainty. The team of trainer Christophe Galtier won 1-2 at AJ Auxerre, putting closest pursuer RC Lens on six points with two games to go. However, the difference in goal difference is such (+50 to +34), that only a miracle can separate PSG from the title. The big man on the side of the Parisians was Kylian Mbappé, who scored two very nice goals. Next week, a point at RC Strasbourg is enough to officially win the national title.

Auxerre entered in a 5-4-1 formation in an attempt to stop Galtier’s star formation. Galtier entered into an offensive 3-4-4 fortification. Up front, striker Hugo Ekitike was flanked by Lionel Messi (right) and Mbappé (left). Juan Bernat and Warren Zaïre-Emery had to supply the front from midfield, while Fabián Ruiz and Marco Verratti were the controllers. Danilo Pereira, Sergio Ramos and Marquinhos formed the defense for goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

PSG quickly made short work of the home team. In the sixth minute it all went a little too fast for Auxerre and in no time Mbappé was free for the goal. The Frenchman cut his direct opponent twice and then lashed out devastatingly in the cross: 0-1. A few minutes later it was hit again for the star attacker. A careless loss of possession at Auxerre led to possession for Messi, who passed Mbappé through the legs of the clever Ekitike. Mbappé lashed out in one go and his attempt proved too powerful for Auxerre goalkeeper Ionut Radu: 0-2. The pace of the match then dropped considerably: PSG didn’t have to anymore, while Auxerre could only create little danger. However, the home team came close before the break. Rayan Raveloson, however, was unlucky and saw his attempt hit the crossbar.

As a bolt from the blue, Auxerre equalized shortly after the break. Striker Nuno Da Costa extended his head to Lassine Sinayoko, who saw that Donnarumma reached the ground too late: 1-2. It gave the club the confidence that was still missing in the first half. PSG continued to create its chances, but Mbappé, among others, was not focused. Auxerre therefore felt that there was still something to be gained. Fifteen minutes before the end, it led to a huge opportunity for Gauthier Hein, who barely saw his good shot being saved by Donnarumma. In the final phase, PSG lowered the pace in order to stop the enthusiastic Auxerre. That turned out to be successful. Auxerre didn’t get more than a shot, while Mbappé still seemed to sign for his hat trick. However, he turned out to be offside.

No. Team m W G v +/- Pnt
1 Paris Saint Germain 36 27 3 6 50 84
2 RC Lens 36 23 9 4 34 78
3 Olympic Marseille 36 22 7 7 29 73
4 AS Monaco 36 19 8 9 15 65
5 Lille OSC 36 18 9 9 20 63
6 Stade Rennes 36 19 5 12 27 62
7 Olympic Lyon 36 17 8 11 17 59
8 Clermont 36 15 8 13 -7 53
9 OGC Nice 36 13 13 10 8 52
10 Lorient 36 14 10 12 0 52
11 Reims 36 12 15 9 5 51
12 Montpellier 36 14 5 17 2 47
13 Toulouse 36 12 8 16 -7 44
14 Stadium Brest 36 10 11 15 -10 41
15 Strasbourg 36 9 12 15 -7 39
16 A. J. Auxerre 36 8 10 18 -26 34
17 Nantes 36 6 15 15 -18 33
18 Troyes AC 36 4 11 21 -35 23
19 AC Ajaccio 36 6 5 25 -49 23
20 Angers 36 3 6 27 -48 15