David Ginola: 'Paris Saint-Germain will need a boost'

DAVID, PARIS TAKE ON NEWCASTLE ON TUESDAY. WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN THIS CLASH?

"The fact that Paris are managing to play well as a team. The Parisians know this Newcastle team. They know how they play, they're a hard-working team and it was complicated in the first leg. But technically, Paris Saint-Germain have what it takes to beat Newcastle. Now we need the fans to be there, as they always have been during the great moments. But for this match, we're going to ask them to be even more present because it's an important game.

It's important for Paris to win against Newcastle, even though that's difficult for me to say as I also played there. I think Paris have the weapons, now a football club is a team, a public, a staff, people who gravitate to the club... and for me it's a combination of things that means that if we manage to create unity in this match, then it will be a pleasure for everyone: in the stands as well as on the pitch."

YOU PLAYED AT THE PARC DES PRINCES, CAN YOU TELL US IF THE '12TH MAN' REALLY HAS AN IMPACT ON A PLAYER WHEN  HE'S ON THE PITCH?

"The 12th man is not just a ready-made phrase in the world of football. I've experienced it here, at the Parc des Princes, with this crowd. They have stayed the same over the years, as they become aware of the difficulties their team is facing. They're going to have to be there at key moments in the match. We've experienced that in the past, in European matches, in league matches, in the cups... matches during which we really felt that crowd. I used to watch the Lutece Falco, I used to watch the Auteuil stand... I used to see people and I used to play for them too. I would even say that I was playing mainly for them.

It was very important for me to see the fans happy at the end of the match. I couldn't leave a pitch feeling happy if the fans weren't delighted with our performance. So the fans are important at key moments in the season. When the team is struggling or in trouble, they are there to galvanise you, to push you to your limits. What's more, these fans have what it takes to do that. Now they'll have to be there, but not just when Paris dominate. It's in the more complicated phases that Paris Saint-Germain will need a boost."

DO YOU HAVE ANY MEMORIES IN MIND OF GREAT MOMENTS WITH THE FANS?

"Yes, I'm thinking of the French league title that we celebrated with the fans, at the Parc des Princes and on the Champs-Élysées. We celebrated that title as much as our cup wins. We had a real connection with the Parc, especially the Auteuil stand. The stadium as a whole had a kind of harmony. I remember the Auteuil stand, where I had my fan club right at the top. When I come here, the smell of the pitch brings back special moments.

I remember the exchanges when we gave our shirts to the fans to express our gratitude. We saw during the Covid period that playing matches without a crowd is no longer football. Football has to be played with an audience and people who experience the match with you. I've had some very special moments here and that's why leaving really broke my heart. To have to leave this crowd and this stadium, which was a bit like my back yard, with all my neighbours, with whom I had a very good relationship, around me."

MANY OF THE CLUB'S FORMER PLAYERS SAY THAT THE PARC DES PRINCES HAS A SOUL, THAT IT'S A LEGENDARY STADIUM. DO YOU SHARE THIS OPINION?

"Yes, the Parc des Princes is legendary. It has played host to the French national team, Michael Jackson, Johnny Hallyday... It has played host to some incredible and legendary moments in sport and entertainment. That's why the Parc des Princes is unique. And for those of us who have played for Paris Saint-Germain, I think we're lucky to have been able to play here.

I think everyone needs to realise that, even those who have played in the biggest stadiums. There aren't many people who play in a city stadium like this. Most of them are in the suburbs. Here, you feel like you're inside Paris. The Eiffel Tower is not far away, and so is the Seine..."