PSG Crowned Ligue 1 Champions Despite Home Defeat to Rennes
A festive yet bittersweet atmosphere descended upon the Parc des Princes as Paris Saint-Germain officially clinched the Ligue 1 title for the second consecutive season, despite a 2-1 loss to Rennes in their postponed Matchday 36 fixture. The Parisians had mathematically secured the championship earlier in the day following AS Monaco’s 1-1 draw against Guingamp, rendering the evening match more ceremonial than competitive.
The result marked PSG’s first league defeat at home in over 18 months—a remarkable unbeaten run that coincidentally also ended at the hands of Stade Rennais, who had been the last side to beat the capital club at the Parc des Princes. This time, Rennes’ victory had greater meaning for the visitors, helping them ensure their survival in Ligue 1.
Although the match itself lacked the intensity one might expect from a title-winning celebration, the occasion was nonetheless a historic one for PSG, who secured their fourth French top-flight title. The subdued mood on the pitch was in stark contrast to the significance of the achievement, and midfielder Blaise Matuidi acknowledged as much in his post-match reflections.
“We’re very happy, very pleased to have won this championship. We had a great season. We would have liked to win against Rennes, but that doesn’t take anything away from the title,” said Matuidi, visibly proud despite the loss.
He emphasized the consistency and dominance PSG had shown throughout the campaign, stating:
“We’re going to celebrate, we deserve it. We had a very great season with three titles. We’re breaking records and that’s good.”
Indeed, the capital club currently sits on 83 points, just one shy of setting a new club record. Though the Ligue 1 title had been all but confirmed for weeks, the official confirmation came just before kickoff, which may have affected the players’ focus.
“We knew we were champions at the end of the warm-up. It was a little strange. Our concentration is a little lost, which is understandable,” Matuidi admitted.
While PSG can boast domestic dominance, the midfielder also pointed to their performance in Europe, which fell short of expectations.
“It’s a successful season with a slightly bitter taste in the Champions League, but we’ve progressed, we didn’t miss the semi-finals. Our objectives have been achieved.”
The 2013–14 season has nonetheless been one of milestones for the Parisian club. With the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de la Ligue, and the Trophée des Champions in hand, PSG are emerging as a powerhouse not just in France, but on the European stage as well.
Although the loss to Rennes dampened the on-pitch celebrations, there is little doubt that PSG’s dominance this season has been emphatic. The club, driven by an ambitious project and sustained investment, continues to set the bar for French football.
