They were knocked out by minnows Vítkovice in the first round of the 1986–87 European Cup.[25][32] A year later, the club avoided relegation from the 1987–88 French Division 1 on the final match after a 4–1 win over Lens at Parc des Princes.[25] PSG then briefly bounced back, fighting for the 1988–89 French Division 1 title with Olympique de Marseille.[33] In May 1989, the two sides met for the title decider at Stade Vélodrome in a match that would set the tone for the years that followed.[33][34]