Technical advisor to the young people of Chelsea, Claude Makelele, 47, the former midfielder then assistant coach of Carlo Ancelotti and Laurent Blanc, has not forgotten anything about his time at PSG from 2008 to 2014. Winner of the Ligue des 2002 champions with Real and finalist with Chelsea in 2008, he will closely follow the final this Sunday evening (9 pm) in Lisbon between Paris and Bayern Munich.
How do you see the PSG-Bayern final?
CLAUDE MAKELELE. It is a pleasure. I was at the base of the project so there is plenty. It's a big step. They have finally reached the last square. Now this type of performance has to be anchored in people's minds: it will become normal to be there. You just have to make the final sprint a reality, that's all.
Who is favorite?
A final is always 50-50. After that, it's the details that will make the difference between whoever really wants it or not. We don't care who played well, who dominated, who had possession… We will only remember whoever lifted the cup, not the rest. You just have to earn it, that's all.
Bayern, for their part, are showing good consistency ...
Yes because Bayern is an institution. They won the European Cup several times ( Editor's note: 5 victories in 10 C1 finals ). We must have this element in mind! You always have to take into account the history with these teams. Because sometimes they don't deserve it but they win and come away with the trophy. So you have to be very, very careful.
When Qatar arrived in Paris in 2011, did you know the club were on the right track?
Ah yes. I had already experienced this kind of situation. When I arrived at Chelsea in 2003, it was the same. It took a long time. But after all depends on the structures, the context. Paris took a lot longer. Now we must seize this opportunity to open another stage behind which will be more constructive. Chelsea had missed their first final (2008) but won the second four years later (2012).
PSG Express
The essential newsletter for Parisian supportersI'm registering
Your email address is collected by Le Parisien to enable you to receive our news and commercial offers. Learn more
Shouldn't it be an end?
Yes, it is still a step. The more we are there, the more we earn and the more we are hungry to come back because these are exceptional adventures! This is how we grow up.
Will you be supporting Paris on Sunday evening?
(Laughs) Supporter? But I'm french ! And as I told you, I was at the base of the project, so of course I am for Paris. It wouldn't be normal not to be.
The former Parisians seem particularly affected by the current course. Do you share this feeling?
Obviously I can feel it! And then I have friends there. Nasser (Editor's note: Al-Khelaïfi, the president of PSG) is someone I really appreciate. And the Sheikh too. I had the chance to meet him, to share a lot of things with him. He is someone who has invested a lot in the club. So they deserve this.
Would you have liked to play in this PSG team?
I played for the best team in the world so… (laughs) . And the players who played next to me ( Editor's note: Zidane ) were geniuses, much more than what I see now. So I won't trade this for the world!