Ngotty: 'Liverpool will score, Paris Saint-Germain will win!'
Héros de la victoire européenne avec son but en finale de la Coupe des Vainqueurs de Coupe le 8 mai 1996 face au Rapid Vienne (1-0), Bruno Ngotty sera présent au Parc des Princes pour le match au sommet entre le Paris Saint-Germain et Liverpool. Une bonne raison de revenir sur la double confrontation face aux Reds en 1997, avec la qualification à la clé (3-0, 0-2 en demi-finales) pour le défenseur parisien (113 matches et 10 buts de 1995 à 1998).
Bruno, do you remember the pre-match warm-up against Liverpool at the Parc des Princes on 10 April 1997?
"The English players seemed very sure of themselves. It motivated us even more. We just refused to admit that this was an easy game for them. They were the giants from Liverpool and we were little Paris Saint-Germain despite winning the UEFA Cup Winners Cup the previous season... Later, I played for a long time in England (2001-09, with Bolton Wanderers, Birmingham City and Leicester City), I realised that their relaxed mood pre-match was just the way they prepared, but once the whistle went, they gave it absolutely everything!"
At the Parc des Princes, Paris Saint-Germain produced the perfect match and won 3-0…
"If you had told us we were going to win 3-0, we would have signed immediately! Nobody thought it was possible, but we also had a good team and we were very motivated. There was also a poor performance from the Liverpool goalkeeper David James who made a few mistakes. It was a great win, but despite the big score, we weren't getting carried away before the return match at Anfield."
In Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain suffered a lot, but qualified for your second final in two years...
"We knew it was going to be very hard. Liverpool wanted revenge at Anfield, in a great atmosphere. That stadium is hell for opposition sides. We knew we would have to be solid and we conceded a very early goal, but we held on. The whole team was there to defend. Late in the match, Liverpool scored a second, but we stood firm. We lost the second leg, but we qualified."
You will be at the Parc des Princes for this season's Champions League match against the Reds. How do you see it going?
"It will be a tough game for both sides: Paris Saint-Germain need to win and Liverpool will be looking for at least a draw. I played in England and English sides only play to win. So maybe they won't know what to do: defend to get a draw or attack to win? They are very strong at home with their fans, but they can struggle away and their defence is not always up to the task."
How do you judge Paris Saint-Germain's season so far?
"They have a very good coach in Thomas Tuchel and an excellent captain Thiago Silva. When he is on the pitch, he is a great calming force, a strong leader and they are real strengths for Paris Saint-Germain. I'm also a big fan of Marquinhos. I experienced the same thing as him, playing in central defence and moving into midfield to help the team. I think he should choose one or the other, because it's not easy to change positions stoo much."
A prediction?
"Paris Saint-Germain will win, even if Liverpool will score at the Parc des Princes. I predict a 2-1 win for Les Rouge et Bleu."