It is an understatement to say that Jérôme Rothen is impatiently awaiting this Champions League final against Bayern Munich. At 42, the former Parisian or lifelong supporter of PSG, where he played from 2004 to 2010, was chosen by RMC Sport to be a consultant in place of Eric Di Meco who had previously worked at the microphone.
How did you welcome the qualification of PSG for the final?
JEROME ROTHEN. All lovers of this club were waiting for him. For the football fan that I am, the former player who participated in the last final of the Champions League of a French club ( Editor's note: with Monaco in 2004 ) and the supporter since any kid in Paris: yes, c is a lot of fun.
But it was Eric Di Meco who was a consultant for the quarter and a half of Paris ...
With Eric (Di Meco), we agreed: it was an anomaly to see him comment on PSG, even if he can very well do it, as I can comment on Marseille. But there, I think people want to have someone who pushes behind, who is with them and who does not pretend, for comments. Eric commented the quarter and a half very well because he is a very good consultant. But it was logical to change and it was also the bosses of RMC who proposed it. What is certain is that I wish him good luck because he took many, many insults on social networks. We're not of that generation, even less so. So that feels a little weird.
With Bixente Lizarazu, former Bayern player on TF1, do you meet PSG supporters on RMC?
I think there is no photo (laughs) ! And then if you want a little more show too. I was a more offensive player than Liza so automatically you will watch the game at home! No just kidding. In addition I love Grégoire (Margotton) and Lizarazu, they are very complementary. What is certain is that the true supporter of PSG will, I think, want to experience emotions and, with me, they are guaranteed from the first to the last minute. We will definitely push PSG. It is together that we will manage to lift the cup, even if I will be in the stands and, unfortunately, I will not be able to strike on goal. But Di Maria will do it for me because he has a good left foot too (laughs) !
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Do you plan to house Lizarazu before the match?
Yes, I'm going to tell him that he's going to lose a lot, a lot of viewers in this game! Let him not expect to have an exceptional audience. Everyone will take RMC to listen to me, that's for sure. No, I have a lot of respect for Liza who was particularly important for me for my integration into the France team. And then he's a great consultant. I like his duet with Grégoire. It's a great pair. I'm happy to share this game with him.
What's your prognostic ?
There are so many signs that it's going to be for us… I would say: 3-2 for Paris. One thing is certain, with the stars that there are on each side, I do not see how there could not be goals.
