Paris Saint-Germain is the first French club to reach the UEFA Champions League final since AS Monaco in 2004.
Furthermore, they’ll try and become the second team from France to win the competition. As a result, Les Parisiens are receiving support from some French clubs to bring back the Champions League trophy to France.
Lille OSC manager Christophe Galtier spoke with RMC Sport (via Paris Fans), where he voiced his support for the capital club. Galtier states that neither club deserves the trophy, but he’s hoping that PSG can pull off the victory.
“Congratulations to PSG. A big bravo and I dare to hope that the whole of France in football will support PSG on Sunday. They are as lucky as Bayern Munich to win this magnificent cup,” Galtier said. “It would be nice if this cut came to us. I found Paris very strong in the semi-final. It’s 50-50. Obviously, there is a club that is used to this kind of meeting and to always be present in the last four.”
Another manager that wants to see the Champions League trophy come back to France is Stade Rennais FC manager Julien Stéphan. The 39-year-old talked about how PSG and Olympique Lyonnais shows the quality and difficulty of winning Ligue 1. Rennes will have their opportunity at a potential run in Europe as they’re in the Champions League playoff.
“Congratulations to the Parisians for their career, which, like Lyon, shows that Ligue 1 is not a weak championship but a difficult championship where you have to fight,” Stéphan said.
Not a manager, but Lyon sporting director, Juninho, also displayed his support for Les Parisiens after his squad fell to Bayern Munich in the semi-finals in an interview with RMC Sport (via Paris Fans). The 45-year-old hopes that with a PSG win, it spotlights the quality of Ligue 1, and that league isn’t what everyone thinks.
“We are very sad because we will not be in the next Champions League. I wish Paris good luck. I would like PSG to be able to show that Ligue 1 is not what everyone thinks,” Juninho said. “I really hope all Parisians and the whole PSG team that they will play a big game and demonstrate that Ligue 1 is something other than people think.”
Finally, it comes as a surprise that any coach, front-office member, or player with ties to France’s only Champions League winner, Olympique de Marseille. However, former Marseille forward Jean-Pierre Papin wants to see another French club win the competition. Also, former Marseille president Bernard Tapie voiced his support for PSG in an interview with Le Parisien.
“Parisian supporters also deserve to experience this adventure so that they can then pass it on to their children. It is an extraordinary event that I wish everyone to experience. It’s like you’ve been happily married for decades, and you’ve been invited to another couple’s wedding,” said Tapie.
“You are not going to wish them to divorce by fearing that they will break up your relationship! It’s stupid. On the contrary, we want them to be as happy as you are. And I want PSG to know the happiness of OM. On the contrary, it will allow us to relive our emotions.”
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