50 legendary matches: Kings of France!
As part of the 50th anniversary celebratiions of the capital club, PSG.FR gives you the chance to relive some of the greatest matches in Paris Saint-Germain history. Today, a look back at the first French title won by the capital club!
"If we beat Monaco then the title will practically be in the bag". It's in these terms that Rouge et Bleu captain Luis Fernandez sums up the spirit of the Parisians before the game.
Paris are three points clear at the top and have a better goal difference than nearest rivals Nantes with three matches to play (two points for a win at the time), and Paris Saint-Germain can guarantee themselves the title by beating Monaco, who have nothing left to play for at the end of the season.
In front of 30,000 fans the match is suspenseful and the spectacle is superb. Chances come and go: Luis Fernandez connects forcefully with a cross but can't beat Jean-Luc Etorri (14'), then Monaco become dangerous: a Philippe Anziani shot goes just wide (30'), a Dominique Bijotat shot hits the woodwork (60') then Philippe Tibeuf loses out in a one-on-one with the Paris goalkeeper, Joël Bats (76').
The match is heading for a draw, which would have been a fair result, when one last Safet Susic corner is met by Omar Da Fonseca. The Argentinian attacker fluffs his contact but Oumar Sène surges onto the ball and beats Jean-Luc Etorri from close range (1-0, 89'). With Nantes drawing against Rennes (0-0), Paris are virtually champions with a four-point advantage and a better goal difference with two games to play. The Parisians have trouble hiding their emotion at the final whistle, like captain Luis Fernandez, despite hime being about to join Parisian rivals Matra Racing.
Paris beat Monaco, Paris are champions, a title the French capital had been waiting for for 50 years since Racing Club Paris were crowned in 1936.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN - MONACO : 1-0 (0-0)
French Championship - Round 36
Parc des Princes (Paris)
Referee: Mr. Wurtz
Goal: Sène (89') for Paris.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN : Bats – Bibard, Pilorget, Jeannol, Bacconnier - Poullain, Fernandez, Sène, Susic - Rocheteau (Da Fonseca 79'), Vermeulen. Coach: Gérard Houiller.
MONACO : Ettori – Puel, Stojkovic, Lacuesta, Amoros – Dib, Bijotat, Genghini – Bravo, Anziani, Tibeuf. Coach: Lucien Muller.