The passion of the Parc

It's a fixture that has all the hallmarks of a classic European tie. Everyone can sense that the Paris Saint-Germain players will have an extra-special aura about them against Newcastle this evening, as after their slip-up in the reverse fixture, Les Parisiens will be intent on setting the record straight against The Magpies.

To do so, Les Rouge et Bleu's talent will need to be backed up by the passionate crowd that is expected to turn up to the Parc des Princes tonight. The players and the coaching staff know this, as demonstrated by Luis Enrique, who has called on the club's supporters to make themelves heard: "It's extremely important for us to be able to rely on our fans. We know that they'll be ready and that they really will help us to make it a party against Newcastle on Tuesday."

This sentiment was echoed by Vitinha, who appreciates that passion and that unique touch of magic that can only be felt in the stands of the Parc des Princes: "It's crazy. The fans are always incredible. I know that they'll be here on Tuesday, doing their best to help the team, and we're going to do our best."

As Ousmane Dembélé said after the dazzling win over Monaco last Friday, "the atmosphere is incredible at every game at the Parc des Princes. We rely on the fans to boost us and to help us win games."

That help is priceless, but it isn't unprecedented, of course. Several former Paris Saint-Germain players emotionally reminisced about the key moments when the Parc des Princes crowd helped them to change the course of a match, starting with Pedro Miguel Pauleta, who looked back on his first Classique against OM: "I remember the atmosphere in the stands, and I know for a fact that I managed to score two goals and that we won that game thanks to the atmosphere. That enthusiasm is so important for the team."

Even when they weren't on the pitch, certain players can remember a fiery atmosphere at the Parc. Guillaume Hoarau talked about the crazy scenes that he witnessed at a game at home to FC Twente: "I didn't play that game, but it was pure fire, with Peguy Luyindula scoring late on. They're the moments that you love as a player. When we arrived at the Parc, we knew that the fans would turn up and that, if we started to struggle, we would get that extra bit of energy. The Parc des Princes crowd has always played its role as the 12th man to perfection."

Finally, for Youri Djorkaeff, the capital club lifted a European trophy thanks to its fans: "There were a lot of games where the Parc des Princes crowd was our 12th man and made a difference. I remember the game against Celtic in the Cup Winners' Cup. They were playing really defensively, but thanks to the support of the Paris fans, we managed to take the lead and to score the one goal that decided the game. The fans also gave us the confidence to see the game out and to lift the trophy. It's all true – when you're on the pitch, you can hear and feel the passion of the fans, which can turn games around."

Let's hope that, tonight, Paris Saint-Germain can write a new chapter in its own story and in that of its oh-so-unique brand of passion.