50 legendary matches: Paris save themselves at Sochaux !
As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of 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 last ditch survival from relegation at Sochaux in 2008!
Paris Saint-Germain head to Sochaux with just one objective: win the match in order to stay in Ligue 1. The season had been difficult for the Rouge et Bleu, who nevertheless secured European qualification by winning the Coupe de la Ligue a few weeks earlier at Lens in the final at the Stade de France (2-1, March 29 2008).
At this crucial final match in the Doubs, the Parisians have their destiny in their hands in the relegation battle with two direct rivals worse off than them in the table: Toulouse et Lens.
Sochaux, led by former Paris players Stéphane Pichot, Stéphane Dalmat and Fabrice Pancrate, have nothing to gain but also nothing to lose in this last match of the season.
As for Paris, Pedro Miguel Pauleta is playing his final league game with the captain's armband for the rouge et bleu and wants to finish off by keeping the capital club in the top division.
The stadium is full, the Paris fans get right behind the players and Paul Le Guen's side think they've done the hardest bit by opening the scoring through Amara Diané, with a powerful and precise shot (0-1, 22'). But this season 2007-2008 was full of agony for all PSG supporters: the Paris defence suffers, the defensive block is forced back and Sochaux pick up in the pace in front of their fans with efforts from Stéphane Dalmat (42'), Rabiu Afolabi (51') and Mickaël Isabey (56').
The Doubistes deservedly equalise from a Stéphane Dalmat corner headed in by Guirane N’Daw (1-1, 74e) a few minutes before an emotional farewell for Pauleta, replaced by Peguy Luyindula (70').
The anxiety is palpable for Paris, on the pitch and in the stands. At the same time, Toulouse are leading against Valenciennes and Lens are being held by Bordeaux. A goal for the Sang et Or combined with a Paris defeat would mean relegation to Ligue 2...
One man will save the capital club: Amara Diané, who after getting the better of Rabiu Afolabi, beats Teddy Richert. The ball rolls slowly into the net, a bizarre but exceptionally precious goal (1-2, 83').
The last seven minutes of the match, plus added time, are maybe the longest in the history of the club. At the final whistle there's jubilation. Paris Saint-Germain stay in Ligue 1, Pauleta collapses in tears and the rouge et bleu fans can breathe at last...
FC SOCHAUX-MONTBÉLIARD - PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN : 1-2 (0-1)
Ligue 1 - Round 38
Stade Auguste Bonal (Sochaux)
Buts: Diané (23', 83') to Paris Saint-Germain, N’Daw (74') for Sochaux.
SOCHAUX : Richert - Bréchet, N’Daw, Afolabi, Pichot - Pitau, Dalmat, Isabey (Dagano, 85'), Maurice-Bellay (Traoré, 85') - Erding, Pancrate. Coach: Francis Gillot.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN : Landreau - Ceara, Yepes, Camara, Armand - Chantôme (Mendy, 82'), Bourillon, Clément, Rothen (Sakho, 86') - Diané, Pauleta (Luyindula, 70'). Coach: Paul Le Guen.
