By mid-afternoon, Place de la Porte de Saint-Cloud—adjacent to the stadium—had transformed into an open-air fan zone. Enthusiastic Parisians, including young supporters from the city and its suburbs as well as international fans, had already begun rallying around the fountain, some even dipping their feet in the water to cool off in the scorching heat.

Chants echoed through the air, with the crowd passionately singing classic club anthems. The most prominent included the iconic « après tant d’années… », accompanied by a steady stream of smoke flares lighting up the scene. Two slogans dominated the chants: « On veut la deuxième » and « Dembélé Ballon d’Or », reflecting both the team’s ambitions and the admiration for their star player.

Among the crowd were fans who had traveled from as far as Brazil, drawn by the prospect of reliving last year’s triumphant celebration. The mood was electric yet joyful, a testament to the unifying power of football.

As kickoff approached, the atmosphere grew even more intense. Some supporters playfully engaged with the heavy police presence around the stadium, underscoring the balance between celebration and security that characterizes such high-profile events.