Flashback: The best Parisian memories of Saint-Étienne!

This Wednesday evening, it's a French league clash laden with history between the two clubs who have won the most league titles. And to mark the 88th competitive meeting of AS Saint-Etienne and Paris Saint-Germain, the time seemed right to delve into the archives to pick out moments from beautiful evenings of football. 

From the goal scored by Bernard Guignedoux – for whom the entire Rouge et Bleu family have a special thought at the start of 2021 – to the audacity of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the spectacular overhead kick of Valdes to Charbonnier's missile, while taking in the opportunism of Kylian Mbappé, here's a little video to act as an amuse-bouche. 

It's difficult too not to cite the Madjer of Liazid Sandjak (1-1, May 1991) or Dominique Rocheteau's volley against the club where he came up through the youth system right at the end of extra-time in the final of the Coupe de France (2-2, 6-5 on penalties, May 1982).

LE GUEN'S CORNER

We're in November 1994, and Paris head to the Forez to play (in a strange co-incidence) Round 18 of the league season. A match that saw a one-sided victory by Luis Fernandez's men (1-3), and a goal that has stayed in the annals.
After Les Verts opened the scoring, only 3 minutes were required for Paul Le Guen to deliver an eloquent response by scoring direct from a corner.

THE OVERHEAD IN THE SNOW

It was in a snow-hit Chaudron in December 1995, that the Parisians pitched up in order to measure themselves against Saint-Etienne. And if the two sides played out a draw, the Paris goal - that came only 4 minutes after Les Verts had opened the scoring from a penalty - lives long in the minds. 

When you talk about overhead kicks, just ask Julio Dely Valdés. Just like the master of bicycle kicks Amara Simba, the Panamanian forward has stayed in the hearts thanks to a marvellously acrobatic goal, further freezing the already glacial atmosphere. Following the ball being switched out to the right, Rai, always full of vision, managed to control the ball with his head, before intelligently playing in Dely Valdes with an aerial ball. From a perfect position to try the skill, the number 9 soared into the air in order to produce a perfect overhead kick that left Coupet at a standstill. If the skill is as old as football itself, the execution took the breath away. 

MBAPPÉ ON FIRE

Of course we remember this goal scored by Kylian Mbappé, the only thrill of this meeting in February 2019. After Paris won the ball back high up the field, Dani Alves showed the quality of his passing by scooping a ball into space for Kylian Mbappé - giving the World Cup winner the opportunity to burst into action. Without contolling a ball that came from behind - to emphasise the quality of his skill - the prodigy let off a ferocious volley that left Stéphane Ruffier helpless. A goal as difficult to score as it's delightful to watch. Enjoy it time and again, with the replays!

THE TEAM GOAL

A ricochet, a right-footed volley from the edge of the area by Leandro Paredes and a goal finally awarded to Neymar Jr, who had slightly deflected the Argentinian's shot on to Saint-Etienne defender: it was collective desire that allowed the Rouge et Bleu to open the scoring a bit more than a year ago against Claude Puel's men. The start of a great run for the Parisians, who headed back to the capital with a fine 0-4 scoreline in their back pocket. 

A special mention for Kylian Mbappé, who closed out the fireworks on the pitch by completing his double, while there were more fireworks in the stand.