Paris Saint-Germain stroll to incredible quadruple

French champions clinch all possible trophies in France

PARIS: Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain claimed a historic quadruple trophy haul by beating Auxerre 1-0 to win the French Cup title.

Edinson Cavani’s header after 64 minutes sealed another title for the Parisian club who had already won the Ligue 1 crown along with the Champions’ Trophy and the League Cup — the three other trophies possible in French football.

The French Cup was the only domestic title missing from PSG’s cabinet since they were taken over by their big-spending Qatari owners in 2011.

Clear favourites before the kick-off, PSG only needed the second-half Cavani goal to do what no other club had ever achieved in France and bag their ninth French Cup.

“We had a great, great season. What we managed to do is unique. We play at PSG to live such moments,” said midfielder Blaise Matuidi. “We may have some regrets from the Champions League but we lost to an ogre [Barcelona]. But it’s also important to pay proper tribute to Auxerre who played a good game and caused us some trouble.”

On their march to the Stade de France, PSG beat Ligue 1 rivals Montpellier, Bordeaux, Nantes, Monaco and Saint-Etienne.

Relegated in 2012, Auxerre, who saw Eric Cantona, Abou Diaby and Bacary Sagna rise through their ranks, won a league and cup double under legendary coach Guy Roux in 1996 while also lifting the Cup in 1994, 2003 and 2005.

PSG’s victory means that Bordeaux, who were sixth in the league, now qualify for the Europa League, while Ligue 1 runners-up Lyon will play in the next Champions’ Trophy. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 1^st,  2015.

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