This Saturday (5 p.m.) to face Brest, PSG will be deprived of Renato Sanches affected by the adductors. Christophe Galtier promises some changes in his starting team compared to the one that dominated Juventus (2-1) on Tuesday September 6. But not for the goalkeeper position. He also returns to the relationship between Neymar and Mbappé.
You collaborated with Pier Gauthier, mental trainer. Are you still in contact with him and what are the levers you use in the management of your group, especially with players like Navas?
CHRISTOPHER GALTIER. Yes I collaborated with Pier for everything concerning the mental preparation on me, first of all, on a personal level, which is very important. Then, to try to have many more tools and keys in the exchanges between the player and myself, quickly find the different accesses so that we can have a very open, very zen relationship and avoid non- say, exchange, share. And Pier is very successful in this area.
What is your view on Donnarumma’s match against Juventus where he was criticized for the conceded goal? And are you going to do turnover with Navas?
Turnover in this position? No. I’m not the kind of coach to turn over the goalkeeper position. We often forget that Gigio is a young goalkeeper anyway (23 ans) even though he has been playing for a while. And obviously we noted a poor assessment of a trajectory on the corner which had a significant impact since there was a goal. But I also prefer to remember the two big decisive stops where he was very present. So, obviously, I spoke about it with him and I would like to have a goalkeeper who comes out on set pieces, who has a lot of presence in the air. He has the physique, the technical quality, the jump. And I don’t want this error of judgment to hold him back from what I want to see from him.
Do we need a turnover to regenerate the team with the deadlines of the Champions League?
Personally, the term turnover doesn’t appeal to me too much, but hey, that’s how it is… You obviously need freshness and there will be some automatically since I have a quality workforce that is ready and at my disposal. Even if there are no benchmarks for example for Fabian Ruiz or Carlos Soler who arrived very late, four days before a Champions League match. But yes, it will not be the same eleven as against Juve. You have to inject some freshness to keep everyone involved and the team performing athletically.
Mbappé could have served Neymar on a 3-0 ball against Juventus and didn’t. How has their relationship been since?
The relationship between Ney and Kylian is very good. And I’m not jarring you. They are associated in the exercises. They are often together in warm-ups. Yes, there was this match situation and for trading yesterday (Thursday) with Kylian, I think he talked about it with Ney. There are two stages in this action: the first acceleration where there may be a possibility of giving the ball away but it’s a little more difficult and there is the second stage where Kylian really makes the difference and enters the surface where he doesn’t see Ney. When you see the pictures everything seems simple. But there are two seconds to make a decision and Kylian is focused on his ball. But I’m sure he will assist Ney and vice versa. I haven’t felt anything negative since the match in relation to this game action.
What form are Fabien Ruiz and Carlos Soler in?
They are already happy to be there. Carlos Soler, he has rhythm. He makes a normal preparation. Ten days ago he played his last match with Valencia so he is on the pace. He just has to discover his partners and what I’m going to ask him on the field. But as he is a high level and intelligent player it will quickly be done. Fabian had a very upset preparation since he has played very little in recent weeks because we thought he was going to join us more quickly. And he had wished not to start the championship with his former club and, therefore, trained separately. He’s a little behind in pacing. He works a little more than the others. But they are available to start the game on Saturday.
Is it possible against Brest that Messi, Neymar and Mbappé are resting?
(You tac au tac) Non (laughs) ! I try to be as clear as possible…
And one of the three?
It’s possible.
Can there be a tactical turnover in defense?
Non (laughs). And you’re going to ask me in the middle?
The transfer window ended with the loan of Mauro Icardi. Do you hope for other defensive or offensive reinforcements during the next winter transfer window?
You have already projected yourself into the winter transfer window, not me at all. The technical management, and in particular Luis Campos, with our president must already discuss to anticipate many things in relation to this winter transfer window. I am really match after match. What has been done has been done quite well. It is important that the players who I did not count on, in relation to my playing model and different things, were able to find a club to have playing time. Many are on loan so likely to return next season. If they were to come back next season it would be more interesting with a high playing time. Mauro (Icardi), it happened in the last few hours. I hope he will be happy there and find some very high playing time to perform.
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