He won the Champions League with Olympique de Marseille in 1993 and has been commenting on PSG's European race since the start of the season. Eric Di Méco believes in the chances of Parisians. If he plans to be at the microphone for the semi-final on Tuesday, he explains why he would leave his place if Paris played in the final.
Why wouldn't you comment on the Champions League final if PSG dispute it?
ERIC DI MECO . It seems that the controversy is swelling on social networks. But there is really nothing! It is not my decision, but that of the management of RMC Sport. I would have had no problem commenting on this match, on the contrary. You can't refuse a Champions League final.
Why will you be replaced then?
They found it more logical, and I agree with them, to call on my comrade Jérôme Rothen, with whom I work alternately. When RMC Sport was launched, Jérôme commented on all PSG matches and I commented on all of OM. This season this was not the case and Jérôme was disappointed. Since the start of the year, I've been telling my bosses that the old way made more sense. To deprive him of the final would be scandalous. He was under contract for six years with PSG. He's a kid of this club. He is much more legitimate than me.
Also think of the viewers: on a match as historic as a Champions League final, Parisian supporters will prefer to hear Jérôme than me, who played in Marseille for 14 years. And finally, put yourself in my place. You know the supporters: whatever I say at the end of the match, my words will be shelled. They will be seen as fake ass if I get flamed or jealous if I don't do enough. I only have blows to take.
Did a possible annoyance of OM supporters influence this decision?
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No since I was commenting on the PSG match on Wednesday, and I will do it for the semi-final! Some might not be happy, but I don't care.
If Lyon go to the final, are you at the microphone?
I'll do what my bosses tell me. But RMC Sport does not have an emblematic former OL player on its commentary team! Frankly, I would even have been embarrassed vis-à-vis Jérôme Rothen to go there in his place. As it would have been otherwise, if OM were in the final! He will live a very strong moment. I will be even happier for him if he comments on a Paris victory! It must be an absolute foot. Like that of Bixente Lizarazu during the 2018 World Cup final. And when a commentator is jubilant, it is communicative for the public!
The final will also be broadcast on TF1. Can Bixente Lizarazu comment on a possible PSG-Bayern after winning the Champions League with the German club?
He can, of course. But how will he react when he is still very attached to Bayern? That's a good question you should ask him!
To hear you shout Tuesday night during the equalizer of Marquinhos, one has the impression that you like this Parisian team?
As you can see since the start of the season, I take pleasure in commenting on Paris matches. How happy I am when Ajax or Liverpool win. I'm a professional so I try to stay objective. When I comment on a match, I leave my past as a player in the locker room.
Honestly, will you be happy if PSG wins?
Just the fact that we ask ourselves the question proves that France is not a football country. In Spain, when Real are in the Champions League final, things cringe in Barcelona and no one takes offense. If PSG wins, you know very well that no Marseille supporter will be happy for Paris. As my friends in Paris still tell me today that they wore mourning in 1993. When I am told that, it makes me laugh. I don't even understand how shocking it is. I am 57 years old, I am no longer the age of these fan wars. If PSG wins this year, the Parisians will be right to rejoice in their immense feat. And that will not detract from what OM did in 1993.
Do you think that PSG has a chance to win the C1?
Yes. Paris has been scheduled to go to the end for a long time now. The anomaly is that they haven't gotten there yet! Bayern seem favorite. Paris is one of the challengers with Barca and Manchester City. This year, PSG had an easy draw. They will have to raise their level of play to win in half. What they did on Tuesday night will not be enough. Apart from Neymar, the others were clearly not at the level. But I find it difficult to bury them in this game. It was their first European meeting in five months! There were wounded. As a whole, Paris will be the favorite of the semi-final. It's their year!
