Former greats relive Classique moments

"It's a special match!” declared Amara Simba (109 official matches and 22 goals with Paris between 1986 and 1993) as he looked back over Les Classiques of the 1980s and 90s.“You don’t even need to motivate the players for this match,” added the France international who graduated from the club’s youth academy. “The players know how important this match is. I played my first Ligue 1 match and scored my first goal in the Classique. It was incredible. On Sunday, a victory is the best gift the players can give to the supporters.”

“The Classique represents a lot for me," explained Pedro Miguel Pauleta (211 matches and 109 goals with Paris between 2003 and 2008). “I experienced some incredible moments with the supporters during these matches and I would like to thank for always being there and always believing in the potential of this club. You have to give everything for Paris Saint-Germain and the supporters. Allez Paris!”

Laurent Fournier (252 matches and 18 goals with Paris between 1991 and 1998) echoed those sentiments: “They are exciting matches to be a part of and that can bring everyone together, the club and the supporters,” said the former Rouge et Bleu coach. “I hope Paris Saint-Germain will win. I have the memory of matches of great intensity. You wanted to play in these games with the two best clubs in France and the best players. It’s still the case today…"

It was a similar tone from Vincent Guérin (253 matches and 25 goals with Paris between 1992 and 1998): “The Classique, is the match between the two biggest cities, Paris and Marseille,” added the 1996 Cup Winners Cup winner. “It is the summit, the biggest match on the French football calendar. Everyone loves this match. I was lucky enough to score against Marseille at the Parc des Princes, my home. It remains the greatest memory of those matches. It was an explosion of emotion, of joy and I shared it all with the fans. It was fantastic, marvellous to share that with them.”

Paris will be counting on its supporters to build on the excellent victory in the first meeting at the Stade Vélodrome (2-0), and continue its record-breaking unbeaten run of 18 matches against Marseille (15 wins and 3 draws), and take another big step towards an eighth French title…