Paris Saint-Germain and the Coupe de France: Part II (2000s)
The Coupe de France is more than just a tradition! This Saturday, against Rennes, the capital club will take part in its 17th final and, above all, go in search of a record 13th title. All week leading up to the big day, PSG.FR will take a trip down memory lane, stopping off at each of the Rouge et Bleu's finals in the 2000s...
Act VII - 31 May 2003, at the Stade de France: AJ Auxerre 2–1 Paris Saint-Germain
Ronnie’s magic wasn’t to prove enough. Despite setting up Hugo Leal for the opener (21’), the Portuguese midfielder was harshly sent-off in the 66th minute, and three minutes later, Auxerre were level, via Djibril Cissé (76’). Extra-time was coming, but Jean-Alain Boumsong stole a late winner (89’). Paris would have to wait for their sixth crown… but only 12 months…
Act VIII - 29 May 2004, at the Stade de France: Paris Saint-Germain 1–0 LB Châteauroux
Les Rouge et Bleu were looking for revenge against Ligue 2 side Châteauroux. After fighting all season with Lyon for the Ligue 1 title, Vahid Halilhodzic’s side were desperate for silverware and got it thanks to the inevitable Pedro Miguel Pauleta who headed home midway through the second half (65’). Half an hour later, the Eagle of Açores was holding the trophy aloft - a first for Paris Saint-Germain since 1998.
Acte IX - 29 April 2006, at the Stade de France: Paris Saint-Germain 2–1 Olympique de Marseille
On paper it was a Classique. 90 minutes later it was the stuff of legends. Parisians versus Olympians: and Bonaventure Kalou got the show underway when he blasted in off the underside of Fabien Barthez’s goal (6’)! Vikash Dhorasoo then scored his one and only goal for Paris with a stunning 30m strike (2-0, 49’)! Toifilou Maoulida pulled a goal back for OM (67’), but it was too little, too late… Paris held on for an historic victory!
Act X – 24 May 2008, at the Stade de France: Olympique Lyonnais 1–0 (a.e.t) Paris Saint-Germain
French champions for the seventh time in a row, Lyon were made to work very hard for their first ever double. The match was also Pauleta’s last for Paris Saint-Germain and he received an epic ovation from the fans in the Stade de France, but he would have preferred a different send off. Sylvain Armand saw a goal ruled out for a controversial off-side call, before Sidney Govou scored the only goal of the game in extra-time (102’)…
The final instalment of the Paris Saint-Germain’s Coupe de France saga tomorrow as we look at 6 finals and 5 wins since 2010…