Paris Saint-Germain destroy Monaco 7-1 to clinch Ligue 1 title but Qatari owners demand Champions League success

Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi reiterated PSG’s desire to lift the Champions League title in a statement that appeared to suck the life out of their domestic success

Monday 16 April 2018 07:12 BST
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Paris Saint-Germain beat Monaco 7-1 to clinch the Ligue 1 title
Paris Saint-Germain beat Monaco 7-1 to clinch the Ligue 1 title (Getty)

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Paris Saint-Germain chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi reiterated the Champions League remained the club's major goal after a stunning 7-1 win over Monaco saw them reclaim the Ligue 1 title from their rivals.

PSG were relentless as they pulled their closest rivals apart, Giovani Lo Celso and Angel Di Maria each scoring twice, Edinson Cavani and Julian Draxler also on target and Radamel Falcao involved with an own-goal.

It was a glorious display which established an unassailable 17-point lead at the summit but the man who has overseen it from the technical area, Unai Emery, is still likely to depart at the end of the season.

Emery looks set to pay the price for failing to advance the club's European ambitions, a fact effectively acknowledged on the night as Al-Khelaifi took in the moment.

Asked about rumours linking Thomas Tuchel with the post, the Qatari businessman told Canal Plus: "When we have signed with someone, we will announce it. For now, we have not done anything.

"We have a coach today. We won 7-1 with him. He has a contract until the end of the season.

"We have done a lot of positive things this season. We are champion for the seventh time, the fifth for me. It's really something beautiful, thank you to everyone. Of course, everyone knows, our big goal is the Champions League. But today we are very proud and happy with this title."

Giovani Lo Celso and Angel Di Maria both scored twice with Edinson Cavani and Julian Draxler also on target
Giovani Lo Celso and Angel Di Maria both scored twice with Edinson Cavani and Julian Draxler also on target (Getty)

If that appeared to suck some of the life out of a celebratory night at the Parc des Princes, the enthusiasm was in plentiful supply in the dressing room.

Captain Thiago Silva told the channel: "We go into the history books of the club, it's an incredible moment.

"We know the capacity of this team. Elimination in the Champions League? It happens like that, it's football. That hurt us, but we continued to work. Even though it was a difficult time, we managed to have a good season."

Nasser Al-Khelaifi applauds his PSG side after their 7-1 win over Monaco
Nasser Al-Khelaifi applauds his PSG side after their 7-1 win over Monaco (Getty)

Defender Thomas Meunier added: "It was important to win, especially the way we did. Winning 7-1 against the second team is something incredible. It reflects PSG this season. We were faultless and I hope it will continue."

Striker Kylian Mbappe was an unused substitute on the night, against the side he helped fire to the title last season before a big-money switch.

Unai Emery is set to leave PSG in the summer regardless of their Ligue 1 success
Unai Emery is set to leave PSG in the summer regardless of their Ligue 1 success (Getty)

Asked about his back-to-back triumphs the 19-year-old said: "My two titles? That's good, you have to continue to enjoy it, because maybe one day there will not be any more."

PA

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