Paris, 30 years in the UEFA Champions League
As Paris Saint-Germain prepare to rejoin the race for the UEFA Champions League trophy this season, join us on a trip back to 14 September 1994 and the club's first group stage game in the competition.
The club had played in the old format of the European Cup in 1986, losing to Czech side Vitkovice (2-2, 0-1), and then come through a preliminary round tie with Vac Samsung of Hungary a few weeks before (3-0, 2-1) before they made their UEFA Champions League debut proper on 14 September 1994.
It was against Bayern Munich, the German champions who would - like Paris - go on to reach the semi-finals of the competition that season, losing out to eventual winners Ajax (0-0, 2-5).
Bayern - coached by legendary Italian boss Giovanni Trapattoni and with Oliver Kahn and Lothar Matthäus in their ranks - were without France striker Jean-Pierre Papin. The Parisians, coached by Luis Fernandez, had undergone special preparations for the game, and put out their strongest line-up.
Surprisingly, the Parc des Princes was not full with some 37,000 fans attending.
The visitors dominated the opening exchanges. Christian Nerlinger's shot was deflected wide by Alain Roche (3') and Mehmet Scholl sent a shot over the bar (12').
George Weah led the hosts' front line, and created the first chance with a great piece of skill only to send his effort wide of the target (26'). He was on hand though to poke home his 10th European goal for the Red-and-Blues and give the hosts the lead (41') after Ricardo's header had ricocheted off the crossbar.
The Liberia international would have had another but for Kahn in the Bayern goal (58') and he also failed to take advantage of great service from Valdo (81', 82').
Another Valdo ball did give Paris breathing space as Daniel Bravo brilliantly volleyed home from outside the box after the Brazilian's corner had been only half-cleared by the Bayern backline (2-0, 83').
"It's been a fantastic night and I would like to thank my players," said Luis Fernandez. "They played the way I expected them to, with great heart, courage and clarity, but also with great technical skill."
After registering a 100% record in the group stage, Paris defeated Barcelona in the quarter-finals (1-1, 2-1) before losing out to eventual runners-up AC Milan in the semis (0-1, 2-0).
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN – BAYERN MUNICH : 2-0 (1-0)
Parc des Princes (attendance: 36,924)
UEFA Champions League - Group Stage, Matchday 1
Referee: M.Elleray (ENG)
Goals: Weah (41'), Bravo (83')
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN: Lama – Dieng, Ricardo, Roche, Cobos – Le Guen, Guérin (Llacer 82'), Valdo (Kombouaré 84'), Bravo – Weah, Ginola Coach: L. Fernandez
BAYERN: Kahn – Helmer, Kreuze, Matthaüs, Ziege – Nerlinger, Jorginho, Schupp, Sutter – Scholl (Hamann 46e), Witeczek (Mazinho 57') Coach: G. Trapattoni
