Pauleta: 'Everyone wanted to play that game'

Pedro, what kind of game can we expect on Sunday?
"It's without a doubt the most important game in the French league. It's always difficult to play, but all the players want to play. And it's a game everyone wants to see. I'm sure we'll see a great game on Sunday."

The fans will have a part to play too..
"The fans are always there and are always behind the team. They're proud of the club and of their colours. Of course there's disappointments, but that's football. You have to use that to continue going forward and growing. Defeats are also part of the story and they also enable a club to move forward. I hope the supporters will be in full voice on Sunday."

What's a Classique like from the inside?
"You immediately feel it's a different kind of game. From the start of the week, the atmosphere is different. In my day, there were a lot of people at training, a lot of fans came and talked to us about the importance of the game for the club, the city. Everyone felt involved, everyone wanted to play...it's a very important match for the club."

As a leader, did you have to motivate the players in the dressing room before kick-off?
"Everyone was so focussed that it wasn't necessary to say a lot in the dressing room. Even the coach didn't necessarily have to speak. Some tactical explanations of course, but in terms of motivation, everyone was aware of the expectations, those of the fans in particular. I think it's no different today, despite the difference in the league table. I'm certain that the players will be 100% focussed on Sunday."

What's your best memory of the game?
"I remember my first Classique, we won 2-1 at the Parc des Princes, I scored both goals, and a lot of people still talk about those goals as I scored against Barthez...I immediately understood how important those goals were to the club, for the fans and me. The leaders of the squad have to stand up and be counted in this kind of game, and I'm happy to have done that a number of times in Classiques."