“This is a game where I really felt that the atmosphere at the Parc des Princes would help get the players over the line.”
That quote from PSG Talk contributor, Lee Davey, sums up the disappointment Paris Saint-Germains supporters are feeling right now after the decision was made to play the UEFA Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday behind closed doors due to the spread of the Covid-19 (coronavirus).
Davey had been planning a trip from his home in England to Paris for the highly-anticipated match but will be forced to watch from on television instead. I reached out to him on Twitter to get his thoughts on the decision, how he was impacted financially, and what he predicts the Ultras will do to make their presence known.
“It’s really disappointing that the game will be played behind closed doors but not a surprise, in truth…I think we would have found ourselves in this position sooner rather than later.”
“I’m one of the more optimistic fans in regards to the outcome of the second leg, I’m not sure how I view the game now with this news, but I’m still hopeful of a positive result.”
“Luckily, I purchased my flight on the day of the draw back in December, therefore, my flight price was relatively cheap. My ticket is incorporated into my season ticket cost so I’m assuming that the club will reimburse us somehow to cover this game and the upcoming league games that will now be played behind closed doors. I was due to stay with my friend in Paris after the game and he was scheduled to pick me up from the airport too, therefore, there were no hotel and public transport costs for me. However, I know some people who had planned to go to the game weren’t as lucky as me and will be hit hard financially at this late stage.”
“I anticipate that the Ultras will already be planning how they can affect the game and get behind the players. I’m certain that they will congregate around the stadium by allocating supporters in each corner of the perimeter of the Parc and chant loudly for the duration of the game whilst setting up screens to watch the game simultaneously. Whatever method they apply, the players will hear it and will know that every single one of us is behind them.”
This is a unique situation considering what is at stake for the capital club. A fourth consecutive exit in the Round of 16 of the Champions League would almost certainly bring about some serious changes with the manager and several star players likely to depart.
It’s possible the lack of atmosphere could calm the nerves of PSG players and allow them to perform up to their potential without the added pressure of the supporters in the stadium. That’s all we can hang our hats on right now.
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