After the success of his flock against Montpellier (5-2) this Saturday evening at the Parc des Princes, Christophe Galtier said he was delighted with the good performance. The Parisian coach also spoke of the meeting experienced by Kylian Mbappé, between his missed penalty and his sulky state of mind.
Kylian Mbappé shot and missed the first penalty, Neymar took the second. Did you decide?
CHRISTOPHER GALTIER. For this match, the order was respected on the ground. It was Kylian in one, Ney in two. It made sense for Neymar to take second after Kylian’s failure. Things were respected.
How did you find Kylian Mbappé, who sometimes seemed embarrassed by his physique and sulky?
It’s related to the game. His last 30 minutes were three weeks ago. He is physically out of shape compared to his partners. There is a will with this player profile to want to do things right. But between what we think we can do and what we can, there are differences. He improved as the game progressed. I didn’t want to take any chances with him. But I made him play more than expected. He wanted to be in the competition. To me it was important.
Did you see this scene, at the end of the first period, when he stops playing?
Kylian is one of the very high level players, with personality, character and everyone expresses it in their own way. I saw this run at the end of the first period. He would have liked to have Vitinha’s ball. He was late in the collective preparation, of the game, by his suspension from the trophy and his alert to the adductors.
How do you analyze the first two goals conceded?
I felt it coming. The team had a bad shot. It is very hot during training sessions. Players are not at 100% capacity. As soon as there was more relaxation, surely due to fatigue, that gave these two possibilities to Montpellier. These matches give us material to work on and correct. I am very satisfied with the overall performance of the team. It’s a great victory. The 10 minutes when we were less compact, it gives opportunities.
Hugo Ekitike entered for two minutes. What was the message for him?
I thought there was more game time left than that (smile). It was his first at the Parc des Princes, it is also in this sense. New players must take their bearings and participate in this great victory. He cannot be satisfied, he will ask for more. It is also a wink to integrate it into the Parc des Princes.
Conversely, Leandro Paredes entered in the 70th minute of play. Are you counting on him this season?
I can’t get everyone in (laughs). Leandro’s situation is not the same as that of Mauro (Icardi). He is in demand but he is with us, he takes part in the matches. I didn’t want Vitinha to take a second yellow. Leandro made a good start in Clermont. As for knowing what will happen during the transfer window, I don’t know. But he has a very good spirit.
What did you think of Neymar’s match? Can PSG lose it before the end of the transfer window?
There is what he said to himself in the offseason. Probably linked to the past, on which I forbid myself to comment. Ney has been flawless since July 4. He arrived ready. He’s effective. He seems happy in the game, makes others play. He scores, works well for the team. I have nothing to reproach him for. Let him continue like this. No one knows the future in the transfer window. Today at the club, everyone is satisfied with their investment. He is one of the best players in the world, and he responds.
