50 legendary matches: The first at the Stade de France!

Saturday April 4 1998, Paris Saint-Germain are taking on Bordeaux in the first final at the Stade de France, a few weeks after the inauguration of the new stadium in Saint-Denis. 

Les Girondins, still in the hunt for European qualification, seem favourites for one of the last major matches to be played under Paris president Michel Denisot, who has confirmed his departure at the end of the season. 

For this hugely important game, the coaching duo Ricardo-Bats send out the strongest team, with young Vincent Fernandez starting in the Paris goal. 

The game starts at a frenetic pace with a slight advantage for Bordeaux: a Johan Micoud (8') free-kick shaves the post and then Sylvain Wiltord doesn't miss by much with an effort from within the penalty box (24').

After François Grenet goes off injured with Jean-Pierre Papin coming on, Bordeaux open the scoring through a powerful shot from the edge of the box by Johan Micoud (0-1, 30').

The Rouge et Bleu react, and Bordeaux goalkeeper Ulrich Ramé saves with his feet from Florian Maurice (32') before Marco Simone twice fires into the side-netting (40', 45').

Paris are on top, something they confirm after the break with efforts from Rai (48'), Marco Simone (49', 51'), Florian Maurice (62') and Jimmy Algerino (63').

Then it's Didier Domi's turn to go one-on-one with Ramé, but the last line of the Bordeaux defence again prevails (73'). The Parisians seem cursed, Patrice Loko replaces Maurice (74e) and he'll change the course of the game.

Paris Saint-Germain's dominance is rewarded when Pierre Ducrocq is brought down by Ramé and the referee awards a penalty. But Rai, who had never before missed one since arriving in France, sees his effort saved! Fortunately, Loko latches on to the ball and back-heels to Simone who at last equalises (1-1, 80').

The pace of the game rises again, and a Loko attempt (84') is in response to a Wiltord strike (83'). Simone almost wins it in normal time with a remarkable volley from 30 metres that hits the crossbar (86').

It goes to extra-time, the Parisians seem fresher and score a second goal that looks like it will seal it: Loko breaks wide and crosses for Rai to score with a diving header (2-1, 107').

Paris Saint-Germain are on course for the trophy but then Bordeaux are awarded a free-kick. Papin takes it and equalises at the end of the game (2-2, 115').

Now to the penalty shootout and the Parisians will have the final word: Fernandez saves Paulo Gralak's shot, then « JPP » fires over the bar. Loko scores the winning penalty, putting an end to a superb final. 

Ricardo is happy: "The seasons isn't over. We'll say it saved the season if we don't win anything else, because I always want more! It was a beautiful match, with a lot of emotion." Michel Denisot, after the lap of honour, said: "I'm proud of the six trophies we've won in my seven years at the helm, and that could become seven with the Coupe de France. The victory is all to do with solidarity, rather than the spirit of revenge."

A month later, Paris Saint-Germain lift the Coupe de France, making it a Cup double in this surprising 1997-1998 season for the Rouge et Bleu...

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN - GIRONDINS DE BORDEAUX : 2-2 a.e.t, 4-2 on penalties (0-1, 1-1, 1-1)
Saturday April 4 1998
Coupe de la Ligue - Final
Stade de France (Saint-Denis) - 77,700 spectators
Goals: Simone (80') and Rai (107') for Paris Saint-Germain, Micoud (30') and Papin (115') for Bordeaux.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN: Fernandez - Algerino, Roche (Fournier, 77'), Le Guen, Rabésandratana, Domi (Cissé, 110') - Rai, Ducrocq, Gava - Simone, Maurice (Loko, 74'). Coaches: Ricardo and Joël Bats.
BORDEAUX: Ramé - Blondeau (Afanou, 70'), Saveljic, Gralak, Jemmali - Grenet (Papin, 30'), Pavon, Luccin, Micoud - Laslandes, Wiltord. Coach: Élie Baup.