This Wednesday, Paris Saint-Germain (25th) take on Manchester City (22nd) at the Parc des Princes for Matchday 7 of the Champions League 2024-2025 league phase (kick-off 9pm, broadcast on Canal+). With 2 days to go before the match, former PSG player Bonaventure Kalou spoke of his memories. In particular, he spoke of the importance of the fans in such a match.
Kalou “What comes back to me first is the atmosphere”.
“Bonaventure, what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the big games with Paris Saint-Germain ?
What comes to mind first is the atmosphere. Before and during the matches here at the Parc. And especially when we were winning! The Parc des Princes and the fans are unforgettable memories.
Kalou: “It’s a public that knows soccer and knows how to support its team during matches”.
How important are the fans during these major events ?
The fans have helped us win a lot of matches here at the Parc. They knew how to push us when we needed it. And it’s a public that knows soccer and knows how to support its team during matches. I remember a passionate, knowledgeable crowd who love soccer.
Kalou “To this day, that clamor still echoes in my head sometimes”.
What could be your greatest memory ?
One of my fondest memories is that clamor at the Stade de France after my goal in the French Cup final against Marseille in 2006. It’s something I can’t describe, it’s something you have to experience. To this day, that clamor still echoes in my head sometimes, that moment when the crowd roars as one, it simply gives you chills.”
PSG must welcome Manchester City with passion, as will their fans. After some complicated moments, the Parisian club must be able to offer its supporters a great European evening. What could be better than winning against another favorite? The fans always give their all for the club, and rewarding them with a great performance would be much appreciated.
We know that things aren’t as simple as that. Especially as PSG have got used to being disappointing when they needed to be incredible on the pitch. The players have to seize their chance. Qualification is at their feet, so they need to stop being afraid and play with the desire and confidence to win. Kalou knows that a crowd can make all the difference on a great night of soccer. Other evenings have seen the Parisian club exult with their fans after a great collective and individual performance.
We can’t wait for the match to start, but it will be the players’ attitudes that will define the course of the evening. We can’t afford to lose for either team. Victory is essential, but it won’t come by thinking about it, but by putting in the assets and skills to achieve it. We need to see 11 lions on the pitch.
