In an ideal world, they would have traveled by the thousands across Europe to push PSG into the second Champions League semi-final in its history. But the Covid-19 pandemic requires, the Parisians will face Leipzig this Tuesday evening in an empty stadium in Lisbon. In the Portuguese capital, we meet only very rare supporters of PSG, supplanted in number by curious French tourists or by locals caught up in passion for one of the teams in this Final 8.
Present in Germany during the round of 16 first leg against Borussia Dortmund in February, Christophe will live this half from Moliets (Landes), where he spends his holidays. “I'm present at a lot of European trips and, there, not being able to attend this match and a potential final, it's horrible, sighs the forty-something. You've been waiting for this for years, and when you can be there, you can't go. I always told myself that no matter what, I will be there when it gets there. And, now, it's impossible. It's very hard to live with and accept it. "
Kevin also made the trip to Dortmund. This faithful of the Auteuil stand is currently on vacation in Aix-en-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône). It is with a dozen friends, including Marseille supporters - "It adds spice" - that he will follow the match. “We talked about it among us, this situation is complicated to live, he admits. It hurts. We don't have a choice, but it's hard. "
"Crazy frustration"
The young man even speaks of a "crazy frustration" when thinking of the party that would have represented a trip to follow this semi-final. “Especially since the format of this Final 8 is really very nice,” he adds. He would have liked UEFA to open the stands at least for the semi-finals. “By managing departures and arrivals well, it could have been possible even if it would have been complex,” he admits. For his part, Kamil, 32, would have "made the trip well to experience the event". But in the absence of Portugal, this Parisian setting will live the evening with a few friends. “This particular formula of the event alters the flavor of the Champions League, he regrets. Now, this is the first time that I can experience this for real. The first semi-final against AC Milan in 1995 was too far for me. "
Having left with his family in Normandy, Nathanaël tries his hand to return at the last minute to Levallois-Perret (Hauts-de-Seine) to follow the half-hour at home. "I was there for the quarter-final against Atalanta, and I am superstitious," explains this accountant who has already "blocked his Sunday" for a possible qualification in the final. "Between our victory on the return against Dortmund and the success in the last moments against Bergamo, it smells good to go far," slips the thirty-something.
Next to Orleans (Loiret), Catherine asked not to work this Wednesday. "We want to party or be able to ruminate on our defeat," slips this 54-year-old executive secretary. We experienced so much disillusionment between Manchester United and the comeback that I risk no prognosis. "
"We will try to set the atmosphere at the campsite"
Parisian supporter based in Limoges (Haute-Vienne) Matthieu will try to liven up his campsite near Royan (Charente-Maritime) this Tuesday evening. "We will try to set the mood. We met people with PSG jerseys, that means we are not alone, ”says the carpenter-roofer.
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On the side of the capital, the Ultra Paris Collective announced that it had not found a "place that could accommodate [its] fervor while respecting sanitary conditions". A similar position as in the quarter-final, which did not prevent several hundred members of the group from meeting in front of the Parc des Princes to celebrate the qualification.
You have a message ... # PSGRBL @PSG_inside pic.twitter.com/EzsBVZhJB8
- Ultras Paris Collective (@Co_Ultras_Paris) August 17, 2020Other fans of the Parisian club had gathered a few kilometers away, on the Champs-Elysées, to celebrate the success against Bergamo with a lot of horn blasts, fireworks or smoke. The Paris police headquarters "will put in place a preventive device" on the famous avenue. The police will also keep an eye on the places where the match is broadcast.