Paris (AFP)

"We will push them, even from a distance": PSG supporters met on the outskirts of the Parc des Princes on Wednesday to support their team, forced to play behind closed doors their decisive shock against Dortmund in the Champions League due coronavirus.

It is not 8:00 pm when the bus of the Parisian players cleaves the noisy crowd of several hundreds of supporters behind a banner "Hasta la muerte" (until death).

Smoke, songs, firecrackers, huge flags in red and blue colors of the club and even fireworks: the atmosphere of the great European evenings is there, under police surveillance.

Except that this time, the heat could not electrify the spans of the Parc des Princes, but only the surroundings of the Auteuil grandstand, cocoon of the Collective Ultras Paris (CUP), which brings together the different groups of Parisian supporters.

The Paris police headquarters has decided that the meeting against the Germans in Dortmund, in the knockout round of the Champions League, would be played behind closed doors, under the restrictions linked to the coronavirus.

Since Monday, the French government has banned all gatherings of more than 1,000 people, except those "considered useful for the life of the nation".

"It's boring but we understand. For everyone's interest, it's good," said Raouf, 37, a historic subscriber. "We are playing the most important match of our season, it sucks, those who decided that are stupid," grumbles at his side his son Noam, 9 years old.

Several dozen supporters have donned a full white jumpsuit, which covers them from head to toe. "It's to protect yourself from the coronavirus," quips one of them.

- "Poissards" -

Among the ultras, the feeling of "injustice" prevails. "It's not normal. There are millions of people in the metro every day. You have to do like in Italy, either we stop everything or we are let in", growls Michel, a regular at the Park since the 80s .

Others note that Germany let the meeting between Leipzig and the English of Tottenham play out on Tuesday. "However, they have more than 1,000 positive cases for the coronavirus, like us," plague François.

After eliminations against Barcelona in 2017 and Manchester United last year, at the same stage of the 8th, the closed door sounds like a new stroke of luck. "Every year, we're fishers," sighs Nico.

"It is an obligation, other countries have made the same decision. Too bad, we will push them even from a distance", philosopher Seck, 32, came from Senegal to Paris for a few days.

To follow the match, everyone relies on the reliability of their smartphone, no giant screen having been installed. "On the streaming sites, not on RMC Sport", mocks Nico, annoyed that the chain holding the rights refused to broadcast the meeting in the clear.

Raouf, he "will listen to hear the announcer announce the goals".

"We don't care about the match, we're here to meet and make noise", laughs Michel, citing the Spanish supporters of Valence, who were heard even in their lair of Mestalla, also closed behind closed doors Tuesday evening against Atalanta Bergamo.

Without success, since the Italians won (4-3) and won their ticket to the quarterfinals, a sesame coveted by PSG since 2016.

© 2020 AFP