The 2021/22 Ligue 1 season kickstarted on August 6. Unlike the previous season, there is plenty of excitement this time around, mainly due to the presence of Lionel Messi, who made his move to PSG. Here is everything you need to know about the new season.
Title defenders – LOSC Lille
Lille raised everyone’s eyebrows with their stellar run in Ligue 1 last season, eventually lifting the title to break the monopoly of PSG. Under new manager Jocelyn Gourvennec, Lille also trumped Les Parisiens to win the Trophee des Champions earlier this month. But their title defence was off to a rocky start after the 3-3 draw against Metz.
Newly promoted sides
Troyes and Clermont Foot have been promoted to the French top flight, with the latter picking up a thumping 2-0 win against Boarduex in their opening game.
Managerial changes
LOSC Lille – Jocelyn Gourvennec
OGC Nice – Christopher Galtier
Marseille – Jorge Sampaoli
Top transfers
PSG underwent a relentless transfer spree – arguably one of the most fantastic transfer businesses in history – and signed some high profile names like Sergio Ramos, Achraf Hakimi, Georginio Wijnaldum and Gianluigi Donnarumma. While many thought Les Parisiens were done with that, they went on to sign Lionel Messi on a free transfer from PSG.
Marseille were also more or less productive in the transfer window, bringing in Konard, Matteo Guendouzi(on loan), Cengiz Under, Pau Lopez, and William Saliba.
Monaco also made two eye-catching transfers in Myron Boadu ( from AZ Alkmaar) and Alexander Nubel ( from Bayern Munich on loan )
Title contenders
PSG are the outright title contenders, and they can return to the summit on the back of an unreal transfer window. The odds are against the defending champions Lille, who had let go of their title-winning manager Galtier.
Monaco made significant progress under Niko Kovac last season, finishing third in the Ligue 1 while leaving behind the appalling 2019/20 season. With the help of new signings Boadu and Nubel, Monaco can put pressure on PSG and Lille.
After an eye-catching transfer window, Marseille are the side to look out for in the new season. They were off to an enthralling start after mounting a comeback in the 3-2 win against Montpellier, with Dimitri Payet scoring a stunning double.
