Paris finish with a draw
Paris were held to a scoreless draw away to Caen in the final match of the Ligue 1 season.
THE MATCH: DEJA VU!
A year ago, in the final match of the 2016-17 season, Paris Saint-Germain and Caen brought the curtain down on the season with a draw at the Parc des Princes which saw Caen survive the drop on the last day of the season. Fast forward 12 months at the Stade Michel d'Ornano and while PSG have won back their national league title, SM Caen were once again playing fortheir top-flight status in Week 38 against the capital club. Unai Emery went with a new-look attacking trio comprising Nkunku, Pastore and Weah. El Flaco - set up by the lively Weah - missed the target (4'). Despite an Mbengue cross-cum-shot that hit the junction of post and crossbar (11'), Caen were largely on the back foot. Somehow Nkunku's shot from six yards out ended up in Samba's gloves (22')! On the turn, Santini fired just wide (20'), but Paris were the team in control. Pastore's header (28') and Thiago Motta's half-volley (32') couldn't make the breakthrough. Just before the break, Areola turned on the style to keep out Genevois (43') and then Santini (44').
The final 45 minutes of the season were a nervy affair for the home side that needed just a point to ensure their survival in Ligue 1. Thiago Motta looked to end his final football match with a goal (72'), while Rodelin's effort at the other end was saved by Areola (81'). Both sides seemed satisfied with a share of the spoils as it ended scoreless.
THE MEN IN THE MATCH: NEW FACES AND… CHAMPIONS!
While the curtain was coming down on the 2017-18 Ligue 1 season, certain players used the opportunity to secure a Ligue 1 championship trophy! While Timothy Weah earned the first start of his career, Kevin Rimane and Yacine Adli (substitutions in the 84th minute) celebrated their first appearances of the campaign - A few minutes on the pitch which sees them official win the 2018 Ligue 1 championship! A final game of the season where some of the club's lesser known players stole a bit of the spotlight!
WHAT WE LEARNED:
93 points in 38 manches. That's how the final record reads as Paris reasserted itself as the capital of the French game. The best attack (108 goals scored), the best defence (29 against), the best home side (17 wins) and the best away side (12 wins): PSG were too strong in every department! A remarkable season and a deserved Ligue 1 title!