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#2 Montpellier (2011-2012)
Montpellier’s triumph in the 2011-2012 was one of the biggest shockers of the season, as this was to be the first triumph of the Paris Saint-Germain dynasty. Following Lille’s unexpected league triumph a year ago, this was the PSG’s moment in the spot light. Except, Olivier Giroud and co. decided that they were having none of it.
On the back of an incredible season by the French striker, where he scored 21 goals and created 9 more, Montpellier just refused to back down from the heavy weights. Rene Girard proved himself to be a wily manager, as he built a well-oiled machine who churned out results week in and week out. Younes Belhanda who established himself as the premier playmaker, playing just behind Giroud whose performances earned him a move to Arsenal in the summer.
Finishing 3 points ahead of a PSG team that would go on to dominate French football in the years to follow, and a Lille team boasting the mercurial Eden Hazard, this truly was an underdog’s tale.
