PSG’s latest Ligue 1 title feels empty, unsatisfying and unexciting

“A star without shine” was how L’Équipe described PSG winning the Ligue 1 title this weekend after a 1-1 draw with Lens. Although their 10th championship equals St-Étienne’s all-time record and adds a star to their shirts for next season, few triumphs have felt so hollow. PSG have been fortunate, disjointed and distracted by the Champions League this season and they are among the least satisfying champions on the continent this century. Change is often glacial at the Parc des Princes but, after a decade of missed chances, revolution could arrive soon.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side have triumphed largely by default. A chasing group who regularly beat each other allowed PSG to ease away from the pack without a sole dominant challenger to apply pressure. Despite Lionel Messi joining Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, PSG have lacked fluidity, cohesion and even excitement all year. The dream of joyous interplay and champagne football routing Ligue 1 is now a rapidly fading mirage, hastened by Mbappé’s uncertain future.

Without a landmark win or standout results, only rarely have PSG threatened to resemble the team France expected – and they have not done it for the 90 minutes once this season. A 13-point margin suggests dominance but PSG have, by their standards, ground out wins and snatched victories though barely deserved late goals. On seven occasions over a 19-game run, PSG took points through goals scored in the 87th minute or later, including five wins. Had PSG been an unlucky team, the title may have eluded them, regardless of their overpowered squad.

Pochettino’s lack of a gameplan, other than relying on individual quality, has led to a season of frustration and even confusion, with Georgino Wijnaldum, for one, seemingly unsure