Remontada revisited: The scar that’s defined PSG

There is a taboo in Paris Saint-Germain around the topic of ‘La Remontada,’ a defining moment in their modern history that they would prefer to never think about. A scar they have attempted to cover over and ignore, but one that never permanently fades, it’s etched too deep and healed unevenly. 

Like Liverpool have Istanbul, Manchester United have Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid have Hampden Park, PSG will always have ‘La Remontada.’ The night when they arrived at the Camp Nou with a 4-0 aggregate and left Barcelona the victims of a monumental collapse, a 6-1 defeat that eliminated them from the Champions League. 

No side had ever exited the competition from such an advantageous position, it was simply unheard of, one of those statistically possible results that a long history in the sport had never previously allowed, but on the 8th of March 2017 history was made to PSG’s displeasure, and what has come next for the club has in many ways been a response to a night they have yet to forget despite their proclamations otherwise. 

Luis Enrique finds himself in a strange position as PSG host Barcelona on Wednesday evening. It’s hard to ignore that the manager for Barcelona on that famous night now leads PSG as the two collide once more in the Champions League. It’ll not be the first time that the two clubs have faced each other since ‘La Remontada,’ but his role as the architect for the comeback draws the focus once more onto the eminent scar. 

“ ‘La Remontada’ didn’t help us with [the Champions League]. Juventus eliminated us. While it’s true that it was a special match, it wasn’t the most important match of my coaching career, ” Luis Enrique stated. It was no surprise that the manager was dismissive of the importance of the