A selfie here, a selfie there: Basile Boli, OM's scorer in the Champions League final against AC Milan in 1993, struggles to reach the Parc des Princes as he is in demand.
Around the Parc des Princes, two hours from kick-off, the atmosphere remains very calm.
The arrival of the coaches of two teams is far from triggering the usual and historic passion specific to the clasicos.
That of Marseille and timidly booed.
That of the PSG kindly ovation.
Inside the enclosure, the encouragement strike planned by the CUP (Collectif Ultras Paris) weighs down the pre-match atmosphere.
Only the arrival on the pitch of Marseillais Guendouzi, Bakambu and Pape Gueye on the spot triggered the start of a reaction in the Virage Auteuil.
As against Lorient, the ultras deploy the giant banner “VIRAGE 1991 AUTEUIL” upside down.
The Park fills up calmly while the club's communication team provides entertainment by inviting Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Pedro Miguel Pauleta to the microphone.
“It's Easter so we had to see nine…”, dares the presenter with a smile.
The striker of the women's team, the day after her double against Issy, but especially a week before the semi-final first leg of the Champions League in Lyon, sees tributes parade for having become the top scorer in the history of the club.
On the screens, Kylian Mbappé assures: “we are proud to have you among us”.
The striker, out of contract at the end of the season, notably receives a message from her idol Ronaldinho.
“It's nice, he knows I exist!
“she says, also impatient to find the public for the semi-final return, April 30 (9 p.m.) at the Park.
Pauleta talks about her memories of clasicos and in particular her goal against Barthez in April 2004. The sun is slowly setting.
The Park remains silent.
“The public is the most important thing at PSG.
I hope all the players think that” Pauleta slips into the microphone.
No reaction.
Only the first announcement of the team composition allows the spectators present to applaud Mbappé and to scold for Neymar.
👏 The park's ovation for Pauleta and Marie-Antoinette Katoto.
#PSGOM #Ligue1UberEats pic.twitter.com/iOxjUkdSyZ
— Prime Video Sport France (@PVSportFR) April 17, 2022
The Marseille goalkeepers are whistled as they enter.
When Michel Montana announces the arrival of the "Paris Saint-Germain goalkeepers", including Gianluigi Donnarumma, they are acclaimed.
The Marseillais are booed then copiously insulted by the ultras.
Former Parisian Mattéo Guendouzi is entitled to (dis)favour treatment.
During the composition of the teams, the Marseillais are whistled.
Classic.
Michel Montana, the announcer of the Park, launches into that of the Parisians.
The CUP is once again playing the game of announcing names.
Mbappé is chanted with the most fervor.
Neymar is booed by some of the ultras.
Not Messi who is welcomed normally.
But Pochettino, he receives whistles from the whole stadium.
Katoto and Pauleta celebrated by the Park #scorers pic.twitter.com/E9XCVgs931
— The Parisian |
PSG (@le_Parisien_PSG) April 17, 2022
Katoto and Pauleta return to be celebrated this time on the podium set up on the pitch.
The Portuguese with 109 goals is then acclaimed at the foot of Auteuil where he has so often been celebrated.
The entry of the teams is greeted by fireworks which warm up the atmosphere.
The flags distributed and waved on the Boulogne side color the stands in red and blue.
Katoto and Pauleta return to kick off after clapping hands with Neymar and Mbappé.
They then parade in front of Auteuil who sings the name of the Portuguese.
As expected the CUP does not sing and reserves its voices to whistle the Marseillais.
Only the drums of the Junior Club resound to the rhythm given by a capo for children.
But when Neymar emerges for the first goal (12th), the Park finally explodes with joy.
And the name of the Brazilian is chanted by the whole public.
The atmosphere worthy of a clasico lasts a few seconds, before falling and giving the stadium the air of a cathedral.
Only the Parisian occasions - and the shots taken by the booed Payet - will wake up the spectators.
OM's equalization by Caleat-Car further lowers the volume.
But at the end of the first period, the sequences of the MNM warm the atmosphere.
And the Park begins to vibrate when the referee awards a penalty to PSG, transformed by Mbappé.
Before starting, the world champion extended a large part of the public to chant his first name.
A mark of affection, without warmth but with heart.
