A fiery atmosphere, dozens of cracked smoke bombs, songs punctuated by ultras inflated to the block, families satisfied. Two days before the reunion with Olympique de Marseille at the Vélodrome stadium, the PSG players were treated to a hell of a motivational shot and a good dose of stimulation during training open to the public at the Parc des Princes. this Friday afternoon.
This first session disputed in front of Parisian fans for the first time since 2011 made it possible to measure to what extent the Clasico against the Olympian rival was still as much a question of pride and pride for supporters affected in their flesh after the elimination against OM in the Coupe de France. But also how important it was for a club to recreate the link between its players and its most loyal supporters.
For a little over an hour, the 33,079 spectators present at the Parc des Princes for this exceptional session were treated to a little show that delighted both parents and children, for whom sitting in the stands of the Parc was like a holy dream.
“It’s only the second time that I’ve come to the Park, savors Hamimi, accompanied by his son-in-law Alezio, 7, wearing Lionel Messi’s jersey on his back and impatient to see the Argentinian at work. Usually we have to spend at least 60 euros to attend a match, here we paid 9 euros and at that price, we see Mbappé, Messi playing football for an hour. What more ? In a few years, we will be able to bring out the photos of this event and my son-in-law will be able to savor them even more. »
“It’s great to see the players so close”
If the intensity of the training, its short duration and the limited variety of exercises offered may have disappointed some, the festive atmosphere that emerged from the enclosure made people forget these mini-annoyances.
The spectators were treated, as in a match, to the announcement of the players by the announcer, to the traditional music of Phil Collins when the artists entered and to the “Debout le Parc” launched by the CUP.
The lap of honor of Kylian Mbappé and his partners in front of an army of smartphones made all the red and blue people smile. “We are regulars at the Park, but there, it’s great to see the players so close, rejoices Ségolène, Léna’s mother. We would have liked to have an autograph from Mbappé (laughs). But it’s already incredible to have the chance to see him like that before our eyes. We are really happy that PSG is carrying out an operation of this magnitude. »
Same enthusiasm with Maxime who bought his tickets at the last minute and surprised his friend Thibault, who was celebrating his 30th birthday.
“We witnessed something unique in Europe”
“It’s super important to be able to reconnect with the players. We need it, especially in the current period which is complicated, confides this 31-year-old fan. Frankly, it is a successful communication operation. We do not realize enough that we have witnessed something unique in Europe. »
Deprived of traveling to the Vélodrome, the supporters took advantage of this session really unlike any other to convey different messages through anti-Marseille songs or banners (“Once, not twice, be merciless with them”, ” Kylian, no mood, here it’s Paname “).
A strong support which did not escape Christophe Galtier, very attentive to the spectacle of the stands. “It was a moment of sharing. Our supporters have been exceptional since the start of the season. Our ultras were omnipresent and noisy, but there were also a lot of families, employees, subscribers… That’s a good thing. It breaks a routine. I don’t know if we need it but it also shows the importance of the next match. »
