Just a few hours before the eagerly-awaited Champions League final, part of the German city was transformed into a Parisian stronghold, buoyed by a wave of passion from France and beyond. Right in the heart of the Bavarian capital, the official UEFA Fan Meeting Point in the colours of the Rouge et Bleu quickly became the rallying point for thousands of supporters who had come to rally around their club.
As soon as the site opened at 11am on the majestic Königsplatz, the first chants could be heard. And as the hours passed, the square gradually came to life. Rouge et Bleu shirts were seen in the streets of the city centre, in the metro, on the terraces... As match time approached, the atmosphere became electric, driven by a shared passion: that of supporting Paris Saint-Germain in, perhaps, the biggest match in its history.
Hosted by Michel Montana and Vincent Royet, the main stage at the Fan Meeting Point played a central role in the build-up. Successive appearances by Club legends such as Ludovic Giuly, Guillaume Hoarau, Mamadou Sakho and, of course, Pedro Miguel Pauleta drew rapturous applause, turning the Königsplatz into an open-air Parc des Princes.
The speeches, the artists' shows and the moments of communion between generations of supporters gradually transformed the square into a huge wave of Rouge et Bleu passion, taking the atmosphere to new heights.
As well as the fan zone, the whole city of Munich has been penetrated by the PSG spirit. Impossible to cross a street without coming across chants, flags or groups of supporters celebrating their attachment to the club from the capital. In front of shops, near monuments, in local bars: the Rouge et Bleu colours are everywhere. Passers-by in Munich could only watch in awe as the human wave was carried by boundless energy.
The Fan Meeting Point was much more than a place to wait; it was the beating heart of a historic day for Paris Saint-Germain. As the chants grew louder, the flags waved and the smiles multiplied, Munich gradually took on the atmosphere of a grand final, with every fan playing his or her part. Luis Enrique's men had not yet taken to the pitch, but they can already feel the strength of their 12th man. A collective passion that will leave a lasting impression on the host city...