Renato Sanches insisted that Lille could hold onto Paris Saint-Germain and win Ligue 1 this season.
Most dangerous rival remains Paris
Lille currently sits at the top of the Ligue 1 standings with 62 points, two clearly defending PSG champions with just ten games left. Christophe Galtier’s side could increase their lead by beating Monaco on Sunday, and Sanches insists the entire squad is pulling in the same direction they aim to wedge the club’s first highest flying crown since 2010-11. “In France, Paris remains the most dangerous opponent,” said the Portuguese midfielder. “Can we win the championship? We’re playing for this. Nobody says otherwise. It would be great, but we are still far from it. I feel that my team is able to achieve this. In a few matches, if we are still in the final sprint and in the same position, we will probably tell ourselves that we can go all the way. “We have to defend our first place. It will be difficult, we know about it.”
The rise of Lille
Lille was the most consistent side in the French top race this season, winning 18, drawing eight and losing just two of 28 fixtures. Galtier’s team currently boasts the best combined defensive record in the division with just 17 goals conceded and they were also able to raise their play against top teams. Lille scored draws against fellow hopeful titles PSG and Lyon in the first half of the campaign, while also beating Monaco and Lens. If Lille can record another win against Monaco this weekend, they’ll be in a very strong position heading for the business end of the season, but they still have some clever gimmicks to negotiate. The Ligue 1 leaders are due to play PSG in the last 16 Coupe de France in the middle of the week, and will also side with Mauricio Pochettino in the league at the Parc des Princes on April 3rd. Away fixtures against Lyon and Lens also loom on the horizon, but Lille will end her campaign with auspicious games against Etienne and Angers in May.