50 Legendary Matches: Paris smash Nantes !
As Paris Saint-Germain celebrates it's 50th birthday this year, PSG.FR takes a look back at 50 matches that shaped the history of Les Rouge et Bleu. Today, we look back on Les Parisiens' convincing victory over FC Nantes in the 1990s!
The Parc des Princes was full for the encounter between Paris Saint-Germain, the league leaders and Nantes, the reigning French champions. The club from the capital was yet to digest its loss at home the previous season (0-3) and started the encounter remarkably.
After Dely Valdes tried his luck with his head (3'), the Panamanian forward opened the scoring when he flicked home a cross from Fournier (1-0, 4'). Djorkaeff (11') and Dely Valdes (17') looked dangerous once again and Les Rouge et Bleu deservedly doubled their lead after 30 minutes at the end of an exceptional piece of football. The Nantes defenders failed to clear a ball in from Rai, and Dely Valdes made no mistake. He backheeled to Djorkaeff who scored with a marvelous finish (2-0, 30').
It wasn't over for the struggling Nantes side: an opening for Djorkaeff, and Loko sprung into action, beat two defenders and struck at goal with his right foot. With the help of the post, the ball nestled into the back of the net (3-0, 42'). A few seconds after the break, Loko missed his effort, but Raí lobbed the keeper, in the same way as Djorkaeff had done in the first half (4-0, 46'). 4-0 just after the break, Paris Saint-Germain took their foot off the pedal but remained dangerous and Colleter went close after sub Llacer misjudged the ball (72').
After Le Guen hit the bar with a free-kick (85'), the Parisian joker Pascal Nouma, who had come on to replace Dely Valdes, headed home a cross from Allou and scored the fifth goal of the match with a helping hand from the woodwork (5-0, 89'). Luis Fernandez was delighted with the incredible performance from his players: "We played an almost perfect match. The fans were delighted, that's all I can ask for. And it was our five forwards who scored, it's the proof that everyone played their part."
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN - NANTES: 5-0 (3-0)
Division 1 - Matchday 21
Parc des Princes (Paris)
Referee: M. Leduc
Goals: Dely Valdes (5'), Djorkaeff (31'), Loko (42'), Raí (46') and Nouma (90').
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN: Lama – Cobos, Le Guen, Colleter, Fournier (Llacer, 56') - Bravo, Guerin (Allou, 82'), Djorkaeff, Raí – Loko, Dely Valdes (Nouma, 64'). Coach: L. Fernandez
NANTES: Casagrande – Chanelet, Guyot, Decroix, Le Dizet – Carotti, Cauet, Renou (Garcion, 64'), N’Doram (Peyrelade, 81') – Kosecki (Da Rocha, 77'), Pedros. Coach: JC. Suaudeau