50 legendary matches: Paris too clinical for Les Verts
As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations at the capital club, PSG.FR gives you the chance to relive some of the greatest matches in the history of Paris Saint-Germain. Today, a look back at the day when the Rouge et Bleu took apart the Saint-Etienne defence at the Parc des Princes.
Paris Saint-Germain host Saint-Étienne at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday November 9 1977, in a clash between two coaches: Jean-Michel Larqué, who has just put an end to his playing career and is in charge of the Rouge et Bleu is up against Robert Herbin, his mentor, who sidelined him the previous season, leading to the departure of the former Saint-Etienne playmaker.
37,429 spectators are in attendance to watch the Rouge et Bleu in a battle that is very tactical in the opening exchanges. Saint-Etienne quickly open the scoring through André Barthelemy from a cross from future Paris star Dominique Rocheteau (0-1, 9') then the captain of the capital club Mustapha Dahleb starts his attacking recital. From a Dominique Lokoli, cross the Algerian star takes advantage of hesitation from Ivan Curkovic and scores at the back post (1-1, 13') before Philippe Redon intercepts a ball lost by Gérard Farison and passes to Dahleb who scores with a subtle clip (2-1, 19').
Saint-Étienne finally react after the break without being able to score. They're being given a lesson by Dahleb who nets his third of the evening to finish off a solo goal: the Paris Saint-Germain attacker picks up the ball in the middle of the pitch, dribbles past four visiting defenders and then wrong-foots Curkovic (3-1, 60'). Carlos Bianchi adds another goal at the end of the game, heading in a François M’Pelé cross (4-1, 77') to round off a wonderful Rouge et Bleu victory.
A rare feat against Les Verts of the mid-1970s: Saint-Étienne hadn't conceded four goals in a competitive match for three years since a European game against Hadjuk Split (1-4, 23/10/1974). Mustapha Dahleb stayed modest after his hat trick: "I can still do better, I suffered a knee injury at the start of the autumn and it's not fully healed yet..." Jean-Michel Larqué is delighted but realistic when he analyses the performance of his players: "The result is harsh on our opponents, but it confirms our progress."
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN - AS SAINT-ÉTIENNE : 4-1 (2-1)
Wednesday November 9 1977
French league D1 - Round 16
Parc des Princes - 37, 429 spectateurs
Goals: Dahleb (13', 19', 60') and Bianchi (77') for Paris Saint-Germain, Barthelemy (9') for Saint-Etienne.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN : Bernard - Lokoli, Morin, Heredia, Pilorget - Adams, Brisson, M’Pelé - Redon, Dahleb - Bianchi. Coach: Jean-Michel Larqué.
SAINT-ÉTIENNE : Curkovic - Farison, Repellini, Lopez, Bathenay - Santini, Synaeghel, Sarramagnia (Zimako, 69') - Revelli, Rocheteau - Barthelemy. Coach: Robert Herbin.