Heavy atmosphere around the Parc des Princes, where many supporters still had in mind the humiliation in the knockout stages of the Champions League against Real Madrid (1-0, 1-3), yet another disappointment in the quest for a first European coronation.
Lucas Musitelli, 25-year-old manager, admits to being “less and less in love with the club”, which he has supported since 2005. Dressed in a PSG jersey, he says he no longer has too much hope for a Parisian victory in the Champions League in the near future and says he is “disgusted”.
Against Bordeaux, he only came to the stadium because he had “box seats thanks to (his) company”, otherwise he would not have moved.
Bitterness
Same bitterness for Jean-Pierre de Souza, 47-year-old works supervisor, “very disappointed with the result in the Champions League”.
This long-time supporter, in love with the club since he was six years old and dressed in a Parisian jersey, ensures that he “remains a supporter of the club in victory as in defeat”.
But he calls for changes in the direction of the club and its sports policy, which he considers too oriented towards the stars and not enough towards football.
“Buying players who wet the shirt is better,” he says. “Some players no longer have their place today (…) Messi, Neymar, for example, it’s good for the show but not for the game.”
Moreover, only Kylian Mbappé, irreproachable against Real Madrid, was not whistled when the teams were announced. The loudest broncas went to Neymar and Lionel Messi, who were then jeered when they touched the ball.
For Lucas Musitelli, it is the repetition of European collapses under the era of the Qatari fund QSI (since 2011) that hurts the most, after the “comeback” against Barcelona in 2017 or the “comeback” of Manchester United in 2019.
“We never took advantage of our 11-year experience in the European Cup, we didn’t question ourselves after the comebacks,” he sighs.
“Resignation”
An opinion shared by Malik, 32, an ultra Parisian subscriber for ten years at the Parc and who does not wish to give his name: “All the seasons are repeated. There Real was the most aging team to face, we had to pass”, asserts this logistics manager, who says he is “disappointed and disgusted”.
For many supporters, the organization chart of the club must be changed, in particular the sporting director Leonardo.
On Saturday, the ultra supporters of PSG called on the Parisian management on Saturday to “resign”, a first since the arrival of the Qatari owners, a slogan taken up on a banner on Sunday.
The Auteuil stand, where the most fervent supporters sit, was only partially filled at kick-off. The supporters ended up taking their place after about ten minutes of play, and the stand was then partially emptied as the match progressed.
Lucas Van Bouchotte, a 21-year-old production agent, was present on the Auteuil side and the instructions were as follows: “We whistle everyone except Mbappé”.
This platform also sang an insulting song, diverting the traditional “Allez Paris Saint-Germain” to the tune of “Go West”, by the Pet Shop Boys, into: “Go fuck yourself…”
Lucas Van Bouchotte chanted these words. “I insult the players but not my club because we are suffering, because they are simply doing shit,” he said. “Some players shouldn’t be there anymore.”
In this tense atmosphere, PSG easily disposed of the bottom of the standings, Bordeaux, 3-0 with goals from Mbappé, Neymar and Paredes. But at the time of his goal, the Brazilian star was heartily booed, a sign that reconciliation will take time.
