Club history: 2000-01

2000-2001. Anelka, Luccin, Dalmat… the young brigade of the French game was meant to carry PSG to the summit of Ligue 1. Yet despite a promising start, thanks largely to the breathtaking form of Robert and Anelka, the first frosts of winter quickly cooled Paris’ title aspirations.

Following a devastating 5-1 loss to Sedan in early December, coach Philippe Bergeroo made way for Luis Fernandez. The Tarifa Kid has always been a firm favourite of the Parc des Princes faithful. Luis immediately made his mark, letting certain players leave and bringing in others, such as a young Spanish midfielder by the name of Mikel Arteta, Argentina defender Mauricio Pochettino and Didier Domi, returning to the club that discovered him.

Six months later, PSG finished ninth in the league, yet miraculously earned a place in the following season’s Intertoto Cup. The 2000-01 campaign will be remembered mostly for a great run in the Champions League, brought undone by an incredible comeback in La Coruna. But Luis would appear to have created an ambitious and unified squad to which he would quickly add the likes of Cristobal, Aloisio, Heinze and, above all, Ronaldinho.

Next season, the Brazilian starlet would be plying his trade in France, in the colours of Paris Saint-Germain. After three barren years, PSG and its supporters were craving new triumphs – the opponents were warned…