50 legendary matches: Paris turn things around!
As part of the 50th anniversary of the capital club, PSG.FR gives you the chance to relive some of the greatest games in Paris Saint-Germain history. Today, we look back at the win over Barcelona at the Parc des Princes, that sent Paris into the semi-finals of the Champions League!
A fortnight on from their excellent draw at the Camp Nou in front of 120.000 spectators (1-1), Luis Fernandez's men welcome FC Barcelona, the reigning Spanish champions, to the Parc des Princes.
Paris Saint-Germain hope to pull off another major European feat despite the absences of Alain Roche (suspended) and Ricardo (ill). The attacking quartet of Valdo - Rai - Ginola - Weah plays together for the first time in a European game. The Paris fans make their presence felt and encourage their team from the first whistle.
A first raid from Ginola and he finds the head of Weah, and the ball ends up going just over the crossbar (5'). The game evens up up until the half-hour, then the Parisians get on top again. From service from Raí, "El Magnifico" Ginola clips the ball and it hits the crossbar (32'). Then Valdo crosses for Rai, the Brazilian produces a diving header but the visiting goalkeeper tips the ball onto the post (39'). Ginola then fires off a cross-shot and Busquets, surprised, tips it... onto the bar! (41').
Paris hit the woodwork four times, and they've shaken up a Barcelona defence that is in trouble, yet the visitors still manage to open the scoring just after the break. From a Koeman free-kick, José Maria Bakero scores a header (0-1, 50'). Barça are going through at this stage and they're giving the Rouge et Bleu a terrible lesson in being clinical.
Paris take every risk possible to equalise, Bernard Lama saves his team by winning out in a one-on-one with José Mari (66'). The action continues, Ginola shrugs off the Spanish defence once more but his chip is kept out by the post (66')! PSG seem cursed, it's difficult to imagine at this stage how the game would end up with a remarkable turnaround.
Approaching the final quarter of an hour, Luis Fernandez is preparing to replace Rai with Nouma when the Brazilian heads home a Le Guen corner and equalises (1-1, 73'). The encounter livens up and both teams throw their final bits of strength into the battle. We're heading for extra-time, Valdo picks up the ball and passes to Guérin in the middle of the pitch. The midfielder marches forward and lets off a low shot, qualifying his team for the semi-finals (2-1, 83'). After the final whistle, the Paris coach Luis Fernandez says: "I'm a happy man! It was a game of great intensity... It was a crazy match, crazy! We pulled off a feat."
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN - FC BARCELONA : 2-1 (0-0)
UEFA Champions League - Quarter-final second leg
Parc des Princes (Paris)
Referee: M.Grabher (Autriche).
Goals: Rai (73'), Guérin (83') for Paris. Bakero (50') for Barcelone
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN: Lama - Cobos, Kombouaré (cap.), Le Guen, Colleter - Bravo, Guérin - Valdo, Rai - Weah, Ginola. Coach: L. Fernandez.
BARCELONA: Busquets- Ferrer, Koeman, Sergi - Nadal - Eusebio, Ivan, Bakero (cap.) - Hagi (Abelardo 72'), Beguiristain (José Mari 58'), Stoichkov. Coach: J.Cruyff.