50 years for Paris in the top flight at the Parc des Princes!
On 13th August 1974, Paris Saint-Germain, who had lost to Reims a few days earlier (1-6 on 09/08/1974), welcomed the club from Lorraine to the Parc des Princes for the first time. Just Fontaine's defensive line had been singled out for criticism, but the Parisian sporting director remained adamant: "Until now and until further notice, this tactic has enabled us to reach Division 1. It must therefore have some merit, but I agree with you that my players have not yet perfected it. Give us time to work on it in training.”
Paris fielded seven summer recruits against Metz: Ilija Pantelic, Dominique Lokoli, Denis Bauda, Jacky Novi, Albert Poli, Louis Floch and Mustapha Dahleb.
The Parc des Princes sounded hollow on this Tuesday in August, with just under 14,000 spectators in attendance for this first-ever match, a very disappointing turnout for president Daniel Hechter. Paris Saint-Germain side lacked composure at the start of the game, but against the run of play took a two-goal lead after 38 minutes.
François M'Pelé became Parc's first top-flight goalscorer with penalty won after a clash between Metz's Daniel Jenny and Mustapha Dahleb. M'Pelé remained modest when he looked back on his first season in Division 1 with Paris: "I was a centre-forward... so I was there to score goals!"
Christian André quickly scored a second for Paris, but the introduction of the Parisian substitute left Fontaine's eleven disorganised. After 25 minutes, Jean Deloffre left the pitch with an ankle injury. His replacement Christian André played as a striker and M'Pelé became an unexpected defensive midfielder. Metz quickly scored twice through Luxembourg's Nico Braun (44' and 50') and without Pantelic's exploits in goal, Paris would certainly have lost their first match at the Parc des Princes.
With this draw honour remained intact for Paris Saint-Germain and Just Fontaine decided to remain positive: "It's a shame, of course, that for our first game in Paris, we weren't able to win. It's normal that, after three league games, our team, which underwent a major overhaul in the off-season, is not yet at full strength. I saw a noticeable improvement compared to the match against Reims, particularly in terms of defence. But we'll have to be even more vigilant in the future."
They got off to a rocky start, but the Parisians have never looked back since, 50 years on from that first match at the Parc des Princes...
The match report:
Paris Saint-Germain – Metz: 2-2 (2-1)
Referee: Mr Mouchotte
Goals: M’Pelé (28' pen) and André (38') for Paris / Braun (44' et 50') for Metz.
Bookings: Pantelic for Paris / Coustillet and Perignon for Metz.
Paris Saint-Germain: Pantelic – Lokoli, Bauda, Novi, Cardiet – Poli, Deloffre (André, 25'), Dogliani – Floch, M’Pelé, Dahleb. Manager(s): Fontaine/Vicot.
Metz: Barth – Baulier, Rastoll, Jeitz, Jenny – Delpierre, Laumen, Coustillet – Perignon, Tota, Braun. Manager: Huart.