The 2014-15 marketing campaign was an thrilling season by French soccer’s usually low trendy requirements.
PSG completed eight factors away from Lyon, who loved a profitable marketing campaign. Under them, there have been simply six factors separating the subsequent three sides in what would turn into an unusually shut race for European soccer.
Ultimately, it was Monaco who claimed the Champions League spoils forward of Marcelo Bielsa’s younger and vibrant Marseille facet. OM, with Saint-Etienne fifth on objective distinction.
CHANGES
There have been a number of adjustments each on and off the sphere, significantly on the high sides. At least 7 groups modified managers in direction of the top of the earlier marketing campaign, with Marseille, Monaco, Lyon and Bordeaux bringing in contemporary blood. Marseille specifically, opted for the boisterous and unpredictable Marcelo Bielsa in what was then lauded as a coup for French soccer.
Monaco in the meantime had begun a interval of austerity, in stark distinction to their wild spending simply 12 months in the past. Claudio Ranieri was jettisoned regardless of a strong 2nd place exhibiting in Les Monegasques’ first season again within the top-flight. His two stars have been each shortly moved on too. James Rodriguez departed for Actual Madrid in a high-profile post-World Cup transfer, whereas Falcao was additionally shipped to Manchester United, curiously on mortgage.
Monaco’s compelled cease on their undertaking was largely attributed to a pricey divorce surrounding membership president Dimitri Rybolovlev. However, they did spend comparatively correctly – bringing in Bernardo Silva on a everlasting deal, Aymen Abdennour and Tiemoue Bakayoko – gamers who would play an integral half in Monaco’s shock run to the Champions League.
Elsewhere in Ligue 1, PSG have been comparatively mute (by their very own requirements) – solely the signing of David Luiz tided them over within the shut window.
SEASON SUMMARY
The early a part of the season belonged to Olympique de Marseille, who underneath Bielsa exploded into life with eight straight victories from Week 3 to Week 11, equalling a membership report. With the likes of Andre-Pierre Gignac, Florian Thauvin and Dimitri Payet, OM soared to the highest, being at one level seven away from PSG earlier than a winter bump introduced them nearer to their rivals.
However, it was OM who topped the desk on the midway stage earlier than the considerably customary Bielsa drop in kind. A catastrophic 4 consecutive defeats – together with the primary Clasico on the new Velodrome to PSG (2-3) – not solely put paid to a primary title in 5 years, but additionally the Champions League qualification.
Taking on the mantle from an OM facet operating out of steam was Lyon at first, with Alexandre Lacazette racking up the objectives earlier than they too fell to the wayside. Ultimately, it was PSG who led the best way – solely from mid-April – because the skilled league champions mastered the run-in to assert the title with two video games to spare.
Elsewhere in Ligue 1, Saint-Etienne continued their high-flying kind, ending fifth – on objective distinction – after conceding simply 30 objectives. On the backside, RC Lens and Metz shortly returned to the second division – whereas Evian TG, who got here from novice soccer to the top-flight in simply 4 years, suffered relegation and thus starting the equally quick path to liquidation a yr later.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
Alexandre Lacazette
Lacazette was named finest participant – together with his tally of 27 objectives in 33 video games guaranteeing victory within the high scorers’ chart.
MANAGER OF THE SEASON
LAURENT BLANC
‘Le President’ received the award, having efficiently defended PSG’s title. He beat Lyon’s Hubert Fournier, Saint-Etienne’s Christophe Galtier and Guingamp’s Jocelyn Gourvennec.
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE SEASON
Nabil Fekir
2014-15 proved to be the breakout season for the younger Lyon starlet. The 21-year-old scored 13, aiding 9 extra to beat Antony Martial, Marquinhos and Morgan Sanson to the gong.
TOP GOALSCORER
Alexandre Lacazette
The younger French worldwide scored 27, aiding 5 extra in his 34 video games to assert the award, beating final season’s winner Zlatan Ibrahimovic (19).
TEAM OF THE SEASON
MANDANDA; JALLET, T SILVA, LUIZ, MAXWELL; VERRATTI, PASTORE, PAYET; LACAZETTE, IBRAHIMOVIC, FEKIR
GOAL OF THE SEASON
Julien Palmieri (for Bastia v PSG)
The left-back’s excellent strike for Bastia in a memorable 4-2 win towards PSG in January 2015 was voted the objective of the season.
MOST EXPENSIVE TRANSFER
David Luiz
Chelsea to PSG
€50m
KEY MOMENT OF THE SEASON
A scintillating sport, the primary underneath the brand new Stade Velodrome roof noticed PSG all however finish Marseille’s title hopes, whereas taking them to the highest spot in Ligue 1. They’d keep there for the remainder of the season.
