In the 2020–21 season, Lille won Ligue 1, ending Paris Saint-Germain’s dominance and claiming their fourth top-flight French title. In this article, FreeKickSEO will walk you through who won Ligue 1 in 2021, how they managed it, key stats, standout players, and what made that season so special.
What Happened In The 2020-21 Ligue 1 Season
The season ran. PSG were entering the season as three-time defending champions. Many expected them to win again. But Lille, managed by Christophe Galtier, had other plans. On the final day, a 2-1 victory over Angers sealed the deal for them.
Lille finished with 83 points, losing only three matches out of 38. That put them ahead of PSG and the rest of the league. It was their first titlethe 2010-11 season.
Who Are Lille and Why Their Win Was Unexpected
Lille OSC (LOSC) is a club, playing their home matches at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Before 2021, their last Ligue 1 title came in 2011, and they had often played the role of “underdog” relative to the financial and star power of PSG.
Several things made their 2020-21 triumph feel unlikely:
- They lacked the budget and marquee names that PSG held.
- PSG, despite some turbulence, still had strong squads and expectations.
- Lille had to be very consistent across the season and avoid the kinds of dips that can kill title chances.
Key Stats & Patterns From Lille’s Title Win
Here are some of the numbers and patterns that defined Lille’s path to winning Ligue 1 in 2021:
- Points and Losses: 83 points, only 3 defeats in 38 matches.
- Best tally in their history under the 3-points-for-a-win system.
- Strong defensive record: They conceded far fewer goals than many rivals and had a very reliable goalkee.
- Balanced attack: Multiple players contributedls—not just one top scorer. For example, Burak Yılmaz led Lille’s scoring with 16 league goals. Jonathan David also chipped in heavily.
Players & Coach Who Made the Difference
To win a title like that, you need individuals stepping up. Here are the key people behind Lille’s triumph:
- Christophe Galtier (Coach): His tactical discipline, ability to get results away.
- Mike Maignan: Stellar performances in goal with many clean sheets. A real backbone for the team.
- Burak Yılmaz: Lead striker, scoring crucial goals, especially when others were being marked out of games.
- Jonathan David, Jonathan Bamba, Yusuf Yazıcı: These younger / less established players produced key moments and helped distribute the attacking threat so that Lille was harder to defend against.
PSG & The Competition They Faced
It’s important to see how the competition shaped up:
- PSG were still very strong, with talent everywhere, but they had some slip-ups during the season. Lille capitalized on this while maintaining consistency.
- Other clubs like Monaco, Lyon, Marseille also had good moments, but none matched Lille’s balance of defense, attack, and consistency over the full campaign.
- A few key matches swung momentum—Lille beating PSG at home or away, managing draws in tough fixtures, and then sealing things on the final matchday.
Why This Title Matters
Lille’s Ligue 1 title in 2021 is remembered for several reasons:
- It broke PSG’s near monopoly of the French league.
- It showed that a club without unlimited resources but with good structure, coaching, and team spirit can win the top prize.
- It injected hope for other clubs that they could challenge the big spenders.
- It gave visibility to up-and-coming players and proved that tactical discipline + teamwork still win in modern football.
Other Facts That Fans Love
- The top scorer of Ligue 1 in that season was Kylian Mbappé (PSG) with 27 goals. Lille didn’t have the top scorer, but theirs were more spread across their attack.
- Lille had strong defensive stats, including many clean sheets.
- The season included 380 matches and over 1,000 total goals, demonstrating both competitive matches and attacking flair throughout Ligue 1.
What Happened Afterwards
After that triumph, PSG regained the title in the 2021-22 season. Lille’s victory remains a high point in recent French league history—a reminder that in football, surprises do happen.
Conclusion
Who won Ligue 1 in 2021? It was Lille OSC, coming. FreeKickSEO has shown you how they did it—solid defence, key performances, depth in attack, excellent coaching, and taking advantage of PSG’s lapses.
If you’re a fan wanting detailed stats, player breakdowns, or highlights from the 2020-21 Ligue 1 season, stay tuned. Feel free to explore match reviews, player biographies, or top performances of that campaign. And if there’s another season or player you’re curious about, just ask!
