50 Legendary Matches: A Classique for Hechter

On 8 January 1978, Paris Saint-Germain was in crisis… Against the league leaders, would the club from the capital be able to react despite the sanctions and uncertainty arising from the scandal surrounding the Club's president, Daniel Hechter?

Les Parisiens, with the Brisson twins on the pitch (Gilles and François) responded in an exceptional manner... At the very start of the match, Mustapha Dahleb struck the post and just a few seconds later, Carlos Bianchi was brought down in the box by Zvunka. The Argentine forward wanted to punish the opposition himself but missed his penalty (2'). Marseille were more ruthless at the other end and Boubacar opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Thierry Morin's foul in the box (0-1, 12').

Paris Saint-Germain dominated the proceedings and Dahleb hit the post for a second time (22'). This didn't discourage the Parisian forwards, and François Brisson deservedly got the equaliser with a powerful effort that he buried into the right hand side of Migeon's net (1-1, 29'). The fans were sent into a frenzy, Carlos Bianchi tried his luck… but the post denied the forward (35') and then only just missed when through on Migeon (42'). Dahleb was finally rewarded for his efforts just seconds before the break: the Paris captain mopped up after Bianchi's effort was parried by the Marseille keeper and he ensured that his side went in at the break with a deserved lead (2-1, 44').

The Paris players entered the dressing room to a standing ovation and put an end to any hope for Les Marseillais from the very get go in the second half, as Marius Trésor headed into his own net (3-1, 46'). Three minutes later, François M’Pelé converted a penalty awarded after Bacconnier fouled François Brisson (4-1, 49').

There was only one side left on the pitch, Carlos Bianchi, on a rare off day, missed another opportunity to score (56') then M’Pelé scored his side's fifth goal of the match, with a beautiful effort from over 30 metres out, which left Migeon with absolutely no chance (5-1, 81').

Paris Saint-Germain scored five magnificent goals and put in an extraordinary performance in front of their 34,000 supporters. Daniel Hechter, who was sat in the stands, was celebrated and then at the end of the match, the captain, Dahleb gave the match ball to his former President. 

Larqué explained the gesture: "I think it's entirely normal that the lads wanted to pay tribute to their ex-President. He took over a club in Division 2, and he leaves it in Division 1. It's a nice present that he has given to the Parisiens. Our win delights me because it was achieved with panache. This match undoubtedly showed character and I hope that my players will be able to use this experience going forward."

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN - OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE: 5-1 (2-1)
Division 1 - Matchday 23, 8 January 1978
Parc des Princes (Paris)
Referee: Robert Wurtz.
Goals: F. Brisson (29'), Dahleb (44'), Trésor (46', o.g.) and  M’Pelé (49' pen., 82') for Paris Saint-Germain, Boubacar (12' pen.) for Marseille.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN: Bernard - Pilorget, Morin, Heredia (Justier, 89'), G. Brisson - Renaut, Redon, M’Pelé - F. Brisson, M’Pelé, Bianchi, Dahleb. Coach: Larqué.
MARSEILLE: Migeon - Baulier (Truqui, 60'), Zvunka, Tresor, Bracci - Bacconnier, Linderoth, Fernandez, Boubacar - Berdoll, Emon (Lendo, 60'). Coach: Markovic.