50 legendary matches: Seventh heaven for Paris!
As part of the club's 50th anniversary, PSG.FR is taking you back to some of the most iconic matches the Rouge et Bleu have played. Today, we look at Paris Saint-Germain putting on a show against Rosenborg!
Even before the final matchday and the game against Helsinborgs in Sweden, Paris Saint-Germain have the opportunity to secure their qualification by winning 2-0 or by three clear goals against Rosenborg, who had beaten the Parisians in Norway (1-3, 13/09/2000).
The Rouge et Bleu sent out their first-choice team, featuring recruits Peter Luccin, Stéphane Dalmat and the star signed from Real Madrid, Nicolas Anelka.
In front of 39,536 enthusiastic fans, the game starts at a crazy pace, with attempts from Christian (3'), Sylvain Distin (5') and Nicolas Anelka (12'). Paris Saint-Germain take a deserved lead when a Laurent Robert free-kick is finished off by Frédéric Déhu (1-0, 16'). After another Nicolas Anelka (24e), Christian latches on to the rebound of a Laurent Robert shot saved by the goalkeeper and doubles the lead (2-0, 25'). And it's not over yet: Robert is kept out by the Rosenborg goalkeeper, Jorn Jamtfall, but the ball comes back to Anelka, who calmly finds the back of the net (3-0, 35').
3-0, and Paris Saint-Germain appear to be heading for an easy victory, but the Norwegians react immediately: from the restart Christer George reduces the arrears (3-1, 36') then scores again, this time with a header, two minutes later (3-2, 38').
The Parc des Princes holds its breath when Frode Johnsen narrowly fails to equalise (44'). Straight after that, Laurent Robert breaks wide and crosses for Peter Luccin to head home (4-2, 45').
After the break, Paris Saint-Germain push for a fifth goal that would mean qualification. From a Christian cross, Nicolas Anelka's shot hits the post (66'). Laurent Leroy replaces Christian (73') and he does the business for the Rouge et Bleu: played in by Pierre Ducrocq, he's up against the Norwegian club's goalkeeper and scores with a lob full of finesse (5-2, 76'). The Parc des Princes shakes with happiness and Laurent Robert extends the advantage with a penalty after a foul on Laurent Leroy (6-2, 86').
In added time, Nicolas Anelka – again set up by Laurent Robert – gets past the defender and beats the unfortunate Jamtfall (7-2, 90').
7-2 and Paris Saint-Germain qualify, scoring 7 goals at the Parc des Princes for the first time since 1984. Paris coach Philippe Bergeroo appreciates the victory, one achieved in style: "Above all we must remember the show we put on and the nine goals scored in the game. I think we prepared for this game in the best possible way, and the first 30 minutes pleased me because we saw team play. The team is such an attacking team that even at 3-0 up we didn't take our foot off the pedal."
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN – ROSENBORG S.K. : 7-2
UEFA Champions League - Group Stage - Matchday 5
Parc des Princes (Paris)
Goals: Déhu (16'), Christian (24'), Anelka (35', 90'), Luccin (45'), L.Leroy (76') and Robert (86') for Paris Saint-Germain, George (36', 38') for Rosenborg
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN: Letizi – Algerino, Distin, Rabesandratana, Mendy – Dehu (Ducrocq 60'), Dalmat, Robert – Anelka, Christian (L.Leroy 72'). Coach: Bergeroo
ROSENBORG: Jamtfall – Basma, Stensaas (Boateng 85'), Strand (Trondsen 71'), Skammelsrud – Berg, Winsnes (Belsvik 55'), George, B.Johnsen – F.Johnsen, Sorensen. Coach: Eggen