The French Cup final between PSG and Saint-Etienne witnessed the return of football fans to the stands after the COVID-19 lockdown.
This was due to the relaxation of restrictions by the French government. In the game won by the Paris club 1-0,
Meanwhile, 5,000 fans were allowed in the stand during Paris Saint-Germain’s Friday night friendly match against Belgian side Waasland-Beveren in the 48,000 capacity of the Parc des Princes stadium.
This final played at the Stade de France is the first official match in one of Europe’s top football nations to allow fans to attend since March. The number of attendance were severely restricted numbers to just 2,805 spectators — including President Emmanuel Macron — inside the 80,000-seater venue
Speaking on the development, Romain Ducret, a 17-year-old supporter of PSG couldn’t hide his excitement besides another fan, Lucas Pose, said he had missed the action like crazy.
“I’ve missed this like crazy. It’s going to be so great,” Ducret.
Although the regular top-flight season has already been cancelled because of the pandemic in France, with this latest development, it is a sign that few fans will be allowed into the stadia next season.
This to Pose, another PSG supporter wearing a surgical mask felt even a small number of supporters would spice up the atmosphere of the match.
“Abroad, with Barca, with Real (Madrid), we see the league without fans. It just doesn’t have the same flavor. But here, we’ll have football again.”
PSG wins record Cup title
Neymar’s 14th-minute strike from the penalty spot was enough for the Paris club to secure the title in their first official competitive match since the lockdown.
Unfortunately, star player, Kylian Mbappe sustained a knee injury in the first half and had to be substituted. It is hoped that the young prodigy will be available for the club ahead of next month’s Champions League quarter-final.
Mbappe celebrated the title with the club players’ crutches.
This is part of PSG’s potential three trophies this summer, with their record-extending 13th French Cup already in the bag.
Next on their schdeule is the League Cup final against Lyon next Friday before the resumption of their European campaign in Portugal.
In the build-up to the game, PSG had scored 20 unreplied goals against their opponents, with Neymar, Mbappe finding the back of the net in the process.
