Without wanting to offend other Ligue 1 clubs, it's a safe bet that PSG will be once again crowned champion of France in May 2020. And perhaps even before ... Behind, however, the suspense is total: who Lille, Lyon, Marseille or Monaco will manage to settle on the podium? Europe 1 goes around the main contenders before the championship resumes on Friday night.
For OL, the sauce (Brazilian) must take
This summer, President Jean-Michel Aulas gave the keys of the Lyon truck to Juninho, idol club in the 2000s. The new sports director of the OL, which is the first experience as a leader, has affixed his paw of entry by naming on the bench his Brazilian compatriot Sylvinho, him also novice to the post of head coach. The former Arsenal and Barça player knows his goals: to be in the Champions League at the end of the season.
The team has been extensively remodeled. Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), Tanguy Ndombele (Tottenham) and Nabil Fekir (Betis Seville), pillars of the Gones last year, left the Rhone. Thiago Mendes (Lille), Youssouf Koné (Lille), Jean Lucas (Flamengo), Joachim Andersen (Sampdoria) and Ciprian Tatarusanu (Nantes) have arrived. The mayonnaise has for the moment a little hard to take ... Review of the preparation: four defeats for a single win, against the course of the game, against Arsenal (2-1).
More than the results, it is especially the level of play and the mentality posted by the Lyonnais which worry, especially during the last two meetings against Liverpool (1-3) and Bournemouth (0-3). "It's the disillusionment of these two games, it shows us that it lacks a soul, a collective strength, we have to show the opponent that we also have character," even Juninho thundered in a press conference. The machine may be a little long to start, but no doubt it will be necessary to rely on the Lyonnais at the end of the season. Over the past 21 seasons, they have missed the podium only three times.
Monaco, a coat of arms to cheer up
On the Rock, we keep a very bad memory of the year 2018-2019. Change of coach, infirmary crammed, dismissal of Thierry Henry and return of Leonardo Jardim ... And in the end, a very pale 17th place in Ligue 1. But the ASM intends to leave the past behind.
This season, the Principality's club has largely reduced its workforce, from 74 players to 55. Side arrivals, the summer is for the moment much quieter than the previous, where the leaders had not hesitated to spend 128 million euros. In addition to the signing of Gelson Martins, already loaned by Atlético de Madrid last winter, goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte and right side Ruben Aguilar, both from Montpellier, have come to strengthen the defense squad. This defense that has often been lacking in ASM the past season ... As for the attack, a last big blow before the end of the transfer window is not excluded.
Sure of his strength, Vice President Oleg Petrov, new strongman of the club after the departure of Vadim Vasilyev in February, does not hide his ambition to find Europe. Leonardo Jardim knows the recipe. The opening match of the championship, Friday night against OL, will prove particularly informative.
OM, back to the wall and on tiptoes
The Marseillais also want to forget a season without relief, and this 5th place which deprived them of a qualification in European Cup. To put an end to the depression, the Phoenician leaders bet on André Villas-Boas. The 41-year-old Portuguese, presented as a gifted youngster in Porto, Chelsea or Tottenham, has not been on the sidelines for a year and a half. Its mission promises to be difficult on the Canebière, where the pressure is strong but the reduced budget, financial fair play requires.
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OM have so far attracted only Spanish central defender Alvaro Gonzalez, loaned by Villarreal, and Argentine striker Dario Benedetto, just arrived from Boca Juniors. "AVB", however, will no longer be able to count on Clinton Njie, Lucas Ocampos and Mario Balotelli, gone this summer. Other high salaries have remained - for the moment - like Florian Thauvin, Luiz Gustavo, Kevin Strootman or Dimitri Payet, very at ease during the preparation. At their side, several young people from the training center have been integrated into the group.
Although a little short, the squad still looks good for Ligue 1. The owner of the club, the American Frank McCourt, refuses to speak of a podium. The coach, he "hopes" to hang on "this season". But the goal will be to reconnect with the fans, who as often, will not give gifts to their flock. They should nevertheless be numerous, Saturday (5:30 pm), to fill the ranks of Velodrome, for the first game of the season against Reims.
For LOSC, C1 risks being a burden
After an exceptional season punctuated by a second place in the standings, the northern club is preparing to return to the Champions League, for the first time since the 2012-2013 edition. A reward deserved, but could quickly turn into a poisoned gift.
First, it is well known, the C1 is a well of energy. And above all, the Dogues have already had to separate from several frames this summer. Their midfielder, Thiago Mendes, went to Lyon with left-back Youssouf Koné in his suitcases. Striker Rafael Leão has joined AC Milan for 35 million euros when Lille's best player, Nicolas Pépé, was transferred to Arsenal against 80 million euros, a record for a Ligue 1 player.
If the clubs of the club have been well filled, what about sports ambitions? Midfielders Domagoj Bradaric, Benjamin Andre, Manuel Cafumana "Show" and strikers Timothy Weah, Victor Osimhen and Yusuf Yazici - the most expensive recruitment in the club's history (16.5 million) - are certainly promising but still offer no guarantee to the team.
Already beaten by Celta Vigo (0-1) at the end of July, Lille has also shown defensive feverishness against AS Roma (2-3) last Saturday at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium. Christophe Galtier still has work before receiving Nantes, Sunday. And that should be a little more in the fall.