Wally with a Brolly

We continue our review of the 2012-2013 Ligue 1 season with our very own Team of the Season. Remember, part I was here. Part III, with the best and worst moments of the season, will come soon.

Goalkeeper: SALVATORE SIRIGU (PSG)

 
PSG had the meanest defence this season with only 23 goals conceded, and Sirigu played a major role in that. Strong in the air, quick off his line, and a very agile shot-stopper, the Italian No.2 was an ever present in the team, only missing a few games through suspension. He exuded confidence and was a vocal leader from the back. A spotless season. Special mention must also go to Steve Mandanda, constantly excellent for an incredibly solid OM side, Stephane Ruffier at Saint-Etienne for his many heroics, Mickael Landreau for his role in stabilising the Bastia defence and a resurgent Remi Vercoutre who, after what seemed like an eternity as Coupet and Lloris' understudy, finally showed his mettle and was an inspirational leader for a very young OL side.

Right-Back: SEBASTIEN CORCHIA (Sochaux)

 

Sebastien Corchia has continued his natural progression after his education at Le Mans. Coming into a young Sochaux side, he made the right-back slot his own. Armed with good pace, great delivery and a developing understanding of the defensive demands of the position, Corchia was especially consistent this season. Still only 22, but with over 150 games in Ligue 1 and 26 U-21 caps to his name, Corchia is one for both the present and the future. Now unsurprisingly wanted by Lyon, for a reported fee of €5m. A potential steal. Already a very good right-back, and definitely the cream of the crop. Special mention must also go to Christophe Jallet, who beat highly-rated Gregory van der Wiel to the right-back spot at PSG and was also named captain by Ancelotti at certain times this season. Not bad for a guy who used to play for Lorient a few years back.

Centre-Back: THIAGO SILVA (PSG)



We all knew he was world-class and one of the best centre-backs in the world, and the Brazilian quickly proved everyone right by effortlessly becoming the best defender in France. Composed on the ball, quick and strong in the tackle, and clever in his interceptions, Thiago Silva made all his partners look competent and solid, be it the very slow Alex or the arrogant Mamadou Sakho, who would do well to learn from his team-mate. Hell, Thiago Silva even played with Zoumana Camara (remember him Leeds fans?) and made him look Ligue 1 material. A born leader at the top of his game. The best defender by a country mile.

Centre-Back: RENATO CIVELLI (Nice)



This was a really tough choice for second centre-back as Ligue 1 traditionally has very solid defensive units. But Renato Civelli was the inspiration behind OGC Nice's unbelievable season. With an unbelievable presence in the air and an aggressive attitude to marking, Civelli managed to make up for his lack of speed by being a commanding vocal leader at the back and reading the play much better than in previous years. And his contribution at the other end, with 5 goals, was also especially vital. A consistently good performer for a team which might have overachieved. What's more, he was the only one to confront the physical Zlatan by cheekily winding him up with a kiss (see photos below). That HAS to be rewarded. Nicolas N'Koulou also needs to be mentioned as he became the undisputed leader of Marseille's defence, which leaked very few goals this season. Comfortable on the ball and blessed with some good pace, the Cameroonian will surely move on to a bigger club. As long as he doesn't do an M'bia.








Left-Back: LUCAS DIGNE (Lille)



Now here's an exciting prospect you'll hear a lot more of in the coming months and years. Lucas Digne has come through the ranks of the now well-established Lille academy and, after years of playing understudy and learning the ropes with the reserves and the France U-20, Digne was finally given his chance this season. What followed was solid defending and an eagerness to bring width to Lille. A clever ball player with a good left foot and great enthusiasm for both defensive and attacking work. Already mentioned by Didier Deschamps as a potential future left-back for France. Watch this space. Others to have performed well at the left-back slot are Maxwell (PSG), who was even named in the Team of the Season by the UNFP (the French PFA), more out of reputation than actual play, even though he did perform adequately, and Tremoulinas (Bordeaux), solid as usual but who hasn't taken that next step.

Defensive Midfielder: BLAISE MATUIDI (PSG)


Blaise Matuidi was for many years a tantalising prospect, on the cusp of establishing himself as one of Ligue 1's best holding midfielders. He was the metronome of his teams at Troyes and St Etienne, but his move to PSG had seemingly taken him out of his depth, with Blaise often failing to impose himself on games, and limiting himself to a strict 'Makelele' role.

But times have changed, and Matuidi considerably grew, both as a player and a man, this season. Faced with tough competition from Thiago Motta and Marco Verratti, both Ancelotti's favourites, the young Frenchman decided to work ever harder and become a vital part of a 'galactic' (cough, cough) PSG. Matuidi expanded his game to become a better passer of the ball and even scored a few goals this season. Of course, his defensive work was once more stellar, and he played a huge role in protecting not only his centre-backs, but also David Beckham when Golden Balls arrived and clearly wasn't up to par anymore. Anyone who watched the Champions League tie against Barcelona could attest to Matuidi's growth, and Blaise played the whole Ligue 1 season at that level. Perhaps more importantly, he was unafraid to let his voice be heard in the dressing-room, often confronting Ibrahimovic for his constant put-downs. A leader and a very good, tidy player.

Marco Verratti (PSG) also showed great composure and guts beyond his early years to become a near ever-present in the PSG squad, leading to comparisons with Pirlo. But Matuidi was slightly more impressive. A special mention as well to Alaixys Romao (OM) who solidified both Lorient and Marseille's midfield during the season whilst cutting down on the number of fouls and bookings which always plagued him the last few years.

Attacking Midfielder : MATHIEU VALBUENA (OM)


Valbuena is an example of perseverance and desire. Released by Bordeaux before turning professional, mostly due to his small stature, Mathieu became one of the lower leagues' best players before l'OM took a cheap gamble on him a few years back. Blessed with undoubted technical ability, Valbuena added a bit of 'nasty' to his game and his fiery temperament has helped him become one of Ligue 1's most accomplished attacking midfielders. Able to play on the wings or in the centre, he truly established himself as a Number 10 this season, often being the source of many of the rejuvenated Gignac's goals. Valbuena breathes creativity and is an old school Number 10. A great success story.

Right Winger: DIMITRI PAYET (Lille)



After years of dilettante attitude and promise, Dimitri Payet finally unleashed his talent for all to see, and did his best Eden Hazard impression for a Lille club which struggled more than expected. Always a destabilising dribbler, Payet added a goalscoring element to his game whilst becoming more of a distributor. Finding the right balance, Payet was the catalyst for Lille's come-back in the second part of the season, single-handedly winning games for the side from the North, and looking much better than the somehow highly-rated Salomon Kalou. 12 goals and 16 assists later, and Payet is now hot property, with l'OM reportedly interested. Still only 26, Payet would be worth a good punt from many teams, especially for only €10m or less.

Left Winger: FLORIAN THAUVIN (Bastia)


I'm not going to lie, this would have been Romain Alessandrini's spot if he hadn't got injured in full flow a few months before the end of the season. The Rennes man was a sensation, scoring absolute blinders and creating countless opportunities which Antonetti's men somehow never took. But Alessandrini's injury meant that Florian Thauvin, the young U-20 international from Bastia, deservedly got this spot for a very good maiden season in Ligue 1. A superb dribbler with good creativity, Thauvin set the world alight in an expansive Bastia side. With 10 goals in 31 games from the left wing, his mazy runs from the left created gaps for his strikers, something which Anthony Modeste (remember him Blackburn fans?) somehow managed to convert into an impressive 15 goals. Thauvin will now move to Lille, who have, as usual, bagged themselves an absolute steal. Gael Danic (Valenciennes, now Lyon) and Andre Ayew (OM) also deserve praise for their consistency for their respective sides.

Striker: ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC (PSG)


One of the best players in the world, and the best player in Ligue 1. 30 goals and 7 assists in 34 games for PSG. The main reason why they won the title. No joke. Enough said, really.

Striker: PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (Saint Etienne)


PEA, as he's known, really set the world alight this season in Ligue 1. After several loan spells over the last few years, Aubameyang finally showed his promise in the 2011-2012 season after  settling down at St Etienne. 19 goals and 8 assists in 37 games is an impressive tally for anyone anywhere, but PEA was a constant thorn in the side of every team in Ligue 1. Blessed with abundant pace and good technique, Aubameyang enjoyed playing on the shoulder of the last defender and put Brandao's aerial prowess to good use. The scary thing? PEA is still raw and developing. Having just turned 24, he's an excellent prospect for the future. But he's also part of Ligue 1's present and has firmly established himself as one of the league's most dangerous strikers. Keep an eye out for him.

Others deserving of praise include Dario Cvitanich (OGC Nice) whose 19 goals in 29 games propelled Nice up the table and certainly justified the €400,000 invested in him. Ligue 1's Michu. It was also great to see the desperately unlucky Jeremie Aliadiere (Lorient) finally be free from injuries for a full season. And, as usual, Bafetimbi Gomis (Lyon) proved that he knew where the goal was.

Manager: CLAUDE PUEL (Nice)

I've always liked Claude Puel. His no-nonsense attitude when it comes to his players obviously didn't help him at Lyon, where players like Cris shamefully gave up on him. But Puel is one of those rare managers with a clear long-term vision for his club. He did it at Lille, establishing them as one of Ligue 1's most competitive side whilst helping build a productive youth team and state of the art training ground. And he's certainly done it again at Nice, who finished 4th, only 3 points behind Lyon. Considering the paltry resources at his disposal, this has been quite an achievement. And he's done it by buying young, hungry players and letting them express themselves. A great manager. Nice are in good hands.

Elie Baup (OM), Remi Garde (Lyon), Christophe Galtier (St Etienne), Christian Gourcuff (Lorient) and Frederic Hantz (Bastia) also all deserve credit, but Puel's achievements were much more impressive. With him at the helm, Nice can grow to 'do a Lille' and become a Ligue 1 mainstay for years to come.