50 legendary matches: The Larqué show against Bastia!
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 club’s history. Today, a look back at Jean-Michel Larqué’s exceptional performance against Bastia on September 8 1978.
A struggling Paris Saint-Germain hosted Bastia at the Parc des Princes, in Round 10 of the league season. Despite being reinforced by the signings of internationals Dominique Baratelli and Dominique Bathenay, the Parisians messed up their start to the season: only two wins in nine matches for the Rouge et Bleu.
Jean-Michel Larqué's decision to strap the boots back on and abandon his position as coach a couple of weeks earlier allowed the Parisians to climb up to mid-table (one win and three draws from their last 4 games) but the Parc des Princes fans were still waiting for a first home success for a team now coached by Pierre Alonzo.
The challenge was great against Bastia, the top attack in the league, who had just scored five goals against Nancy, including a double by Johnny Rep, the Dutch star of the Corsican club. More than 30,000 were in attendance at the Parc des Princes, for a match that was pretty even in the first 30 minutes.
Jean-Michel Larqué was transformed into the playmaker that dazzled for Saint-Étienne: the Paris number 10 crossed from the left for Carlos Bianchi, who opened the scoring with a flick (1-0, 33'), before from a Larqué corner, Dominique Lokoli and then Armando Bianchi ensured Jean-Marc Pilorget was free to double the scoring (2-0, 39').
Paris Saint-Germain had done the hard work just before the break, Bastia opened up as they tried to get back into the game and the Parisian counter-attacks overwhelmed the Corsican defence: Larqué found Eric Renaut, then François M'Pelé got the ball and crossed for Renaut. The diving header from the latter left the Corscian goalkeeper, Weller, no chance (3-0, 57'). And the Larqué show wasn't over: he was also at the start of the final Parisian goal as he passed to M'Pelé, who crossed for Bianchi. The Argentinian forward controlled and smashed the ball past Weller (4-0, 60').
Paris Saint-Germain won in style and the fans enjoyed the recital of the Rouge et Bleu. Larqué, so happy on the final whistle, savoured the intense moment: "I'm happy. We scored four goals and didn't concede to the best attack in the league, and that's a good state of affairs. The victory made the fans happy and it must give confidence back to the whole team. Now, things are back moving for Paris Saint-Germain!"
The success didn't lead to others, Pierre Alonzo was replaced by Velibor Vasovic and Jean-Michel Larqué, after a few matches at centre-half, left the Paris club before embarking on a career as a sports journalist, forming a famous duo with Thierry Roland.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN - SC BASTIA : 4-0 (1-0)
D1 - Round 10
Parc des Princes - 30,596
Buts : C. Bianchi (33', 60'), Pilorget (39') and Renaut (57').
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN : Baratelli - Pilorget, Morin, Renaut, Lokoli - Bathenay, Adams, Larqué - A. Bianchi, C. Bianchi, M’Pelé. Coach : Pierre Alonzo.
BASTIA : Weller - Cazes, Rijsbergen (Desvignes, 46'), Mignot, Marchioni - Lacuesta (Aussu, 82'), Krimau, Papi - Rep, Barthelemy, Ihily. Coach : Pierre Cahuzac.
