Vincent Guerin: 'Paris is a family'
Now part of the club's U19 team staff, the former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder looks back at a memorable meeting with Barcelona in 1995.
Vincent, Paris are preparing to meet Barcelona, which of course brings to mind memories of March 1995...
"That game was a like a boxing match. The key to that game was the possession and domination of the ball. We knew that we were very solid physically and that we had to play with real intensity to see off Barcelona. We managed to do that."
You scored an iconic goal. Can you talk us through it?
"I came from deep. I said 'Vai Vai' to Valdo, who knew it was me because that was the nickname I gave him. He passed the ball to me, and I saw I had space in front of me. I went forward and took advantage of a certain imbalance in the Barcelona defence. Everyone was focussed on George Weah, Koeman in particular. No one expected me to go for goal. I took the decision and shot. The shot wasn't extraordinary but it was enough of a surprise for it to finish in the net."
Your celebration is also something people remember...
"It's an incredible feeling, a release of adrenalin that you very rarely get during your playing career. Of course it's something that still stands out in my memory, because we beat Barcelona, a team that was a benchmark. And also because Johan Cruyff, who was Barça coach at the time, was a player I had loved since I was a kid, the first to catch my eye and make me love this sport."
You're one of the club's emblematic players...what does Paris Saint-Germain mean to you?
"I would say above all it's a family. I have bonds of friendship, moments of joy, lots of shared moments of joy. I talk about a family, because for me PSG isn't just about the players. There's all the technical staff, all those who work for us, such as the kit staff, the 'uncles' as we called them back in the day, the supporters of course, the club's employees. It's not just about what happens on the pitch."
What did you think of the first leg at the Camp Nou?
"It was great, a perfect match! You can't really complain when you win away from home and by such a scoreline. It was a very good evening."
What's your prediction for the second leg?
"Let's say a Paris win, 3-1."