Former French Defender Jose Cobos on Silva and Memories of PSG’s Champions League Semifinal Run in 1995 | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain made history on Wednesday when it qualified for the UEFA Champions League semifinals. The upcoming fixture against RB Leipzig on Tuesday will be PSG’s first semifinal contest in the tournament since 1995. Among the other powerhouse clubs in Europe, no other team had a longer recent Champions League semifinal drought than PSG.

During the team’s run in 1995, PSG fell to AC Milan in the semifinal round in a tie where Les Parisiens were the underdogs heading into the contests. Former French defender Jose Cobos remembers the tie very well. Cobos played in three seasons with PSG over the 1990s and featured in both games of that tie. In speaking to So Foot, Cobos reflected on what he remembers most from that 1995 tournament run.

“Paris was already starting to be in the best European clubs at that time,” Cobos said. “We were the only team to have won all the group matches. And then, beating Barça of Cruyff in the quarterfinals, it was great. In the semis, it was Milan. I have at home a photo of this first leg where there is behind me, on a corner, Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta and Boban. It was something!”

PSG has a history of coming up a bit short in Champions League ties. Cobos believes that the team has learned from its disappointments and it can take them further in this season’s tournament.

“PSG have gone through a lot of disappointments in recent years and their experience has brought them there, today,” Cobos said. “It must allow them to bring them to the end, that’s all I can wish them.”

Cobos is also a supporter of center-back Thiago Silva. As a former defender himself, Cobos can relate to Silva when it comes to playing under a bulk of pressure in big games. The former PSG defender spoke about his appreciation for Silva and what he must do against RB Leipzig in the semifinals.

“We must avoid putting pressure on him,” Cobos said. “After Alain Roche, Antoine Kombouaré and Ricardo, there was no longer a great libero in Paris until Thiago Silva. You can always blame him, but he really deserves to go to the end.”

Thiago Silva will have to behave as a captain and even if he is average against Leipzig, he must keep his head up and motivate his teammates to the end. Thiago has played a lot of important games, he will know how to be ready.”

Silva will be leaving the club following the team’s current Champions League run. Cobos and many other former PSG surely would like to see Silva leave the club as a Champions League winner.

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