Tension, Ultras, rivalry: facing their sworn enemy Marseille in the semi-finals of the U19 championship in Orleans, the Parisian Titis were able to discover what the warm atmospheres of Clasicos could look like. As announced, the Ultras made the trip to the Loiret to support their protégés and lead them to a final against Nantes, who defeated Lens on Saturday (3-2).
In total, there are more than 200 of them, cloistered in the Orleans stand, located behind one of the goals. And the Parisian fans, shirtless, set fire to the warm-up of this semi-final. Very vocal, they put pressure on the Marseille Minots who warm up in front of them. Nevertheless, it is the Phocaeans who start the meeting best.
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President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and Presnel Kimpembe in the gallery
But at the beginning of the match, the attention was more in the stands. Back from Strasbourg in the night after celebrating the title with their teammates, Warren Zaire-Emery and Presnel Kimpembe attend the performance of the club's youngsters, as does president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, not far from Kylian Mbappe's parents. They came to encourage the youngest, Ethan, very popular with the fans.
Congratulations to our Titis for the qualification in the final of the Playoffs of the U19 National Championship by winning against Marseille 2-1 under the eyes of the president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Presnel Kimpembe and Warren Zaire-Emery.
📸 @kennysika #ÁnimoSergioRico pic.twitter.com/a2rWjq2X3A
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) May 28, 2023
The few OM supporters, however, quickly have reason to rejoice. At the reception of a perfectly dosed center, François-Regis Mughe, already scorer in the Coupe de France in the pros, opens the score with a close-range header (18th).
The Parisians then take the match to their account, including a Noha Lemina, Mario's brother, omnipresent. Twirling on his right flank, the Titi takes advantage of his incredible speed to make the Marseille defense suffer. "Noha has a lot of qualities," said Zoumana Camara, the coach of the Paris team. In power, speed and one-on-one, he is very strong. But neither he, nor Ismaël Gharbi, nor Ilyes Housni manage to destabilize the Olympian defense.
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Ethan Mbappé, still as popular as ever
The Parisian Ultras will never be discouraged. After enjoying the makeshift bar set up next to their grandstand, they resume more beautifully, chanting non-stop "Paris is magical". "For a U19 match, the atmosphere was magnificent," said the Parisian coach. To experience a match in this context is a fantastic experience for the kids. And the Titis end up rewarding their supporters. Launched on his flank, Noha Lemina slaloms perfectly in the defense before shifting Ilyes Housni, scorer thanks to a beautiful cross strike.
The place in the final was finally decided in stoppage time. Launched deep by Gharbi, Ilyes Housni, again, maneuvered perfectly to score the goal of deliverance. And the Ultras volcano was able to erupt. Clinging to the gates, the Parisian fans cracked the last smoke they had left before celebrating the victory with their Titis. It is also directly towards them that they rush to the final whistle to sing some songs of victory. "90% of the players are Parisians. Sharing this with the fans is something exceptional and it will remain engraved in their memory, "said Zoumana Camara, delighted with the performance of his family but already focused on the final against Nantes next Sunday.
