Expectations were high.
For his first on the PSG bench against Quevilly-Rouen on Friday in a friendly, Christophe Galtier had his first Parisian victory (2-0) thanks to goals from Sergio Ramos and young Djeidi Gassama.
An anecdotal but symbolic success before flying off this Saturday for a tour of Japan with a group he discovered.
After fifteen days of work, the 55-year-old French technician, who has trained Saint-Étienne, Lille and Nice, gave an interview to the Team in which he discusses all the hot issues of a very, very expected season for the PSG.
Here is an anthology.
Neymar and the questions, Mbappé and the pressure
Christophe Galtier was obviously questioned about the Neymar case.
While the Brazilian is said to be close to leaving, the former Losc coach has insisted he wants to keep him in his ranks next season.
“I will adapt to the squad I have, I want it as much as possible.
We have to reduce it, but I want it as hard as possible.
A team is always stronger with great players.
And Neymar is one, ”claimed Christophe Galtier.
The native of Marseille also sent a message to the Messi-Mbappé-Neymar trio, to explain that they will not play all the matches: “There will be a need for rotation.
What I want, by having an obviously very strong eleven, is that this eleven is at least as strong with the five possible changes.
In the offensive field, there will be playing time for everyone.
I know where Neymar can be comfortable, whether it's a little higher off the hook or in front of two midfielders, Galtier said.
Neymar, like Leo Messi, are animators, players who have this ability to be found between the lines and be decisive.
»
Regarding Kylian Mbappé, who extended until 2025 before his arrival, Christophe Galtier adds: “we are not going to make him bear all the responsibility, he is a 23-year-old boy who has a certain mastery of events.
He knows what people are going to expect from him but there are also other players around.
(…) I am not trying to take some pressure off him.
Kylian knows what he wants, knows where he wants to go, what he wants to do with his career, so he has that pressure”.
Towards a PSG in 3-5-2
Against Quevilly-Rouen on Friday, the new coach of the capital club started the first friendly match in 3-5-2.
And obviously this test proved conclusive: “This animation corresponds to the characteristics of the players.
To be present, pressing on the adversary, very high.
From what I have been able to analyze, we have players who are very hard-hitting, very good offensively.
And to unleash them on that, you have to have the right balance.
»
Read alsoMercato at PSG: for Skriniar and Scamacca, Paris is still negotiating
Galtier announced that Marquinhos would be "his captain" and that there would be "vice captains, who don't know it yet" in the squad.
Him, doubts and ambition
In this interview granted to the Team, Christophe Galtier also mentioned the criticisms he is the subject of and the doubts that accompanied his arrival.
Accused of not being the man for the job by some supporters, or at least of not having the shoulders to win the famous Champions League, the former coach of the Greens kicked in touch: “I am very ambitious.
With great humility.
I came to Paris to win.
There are already three national titles: we have to win them.
You have to break records.
And in all modesty, I tell you: I came to Paris to win everything.
»
He then made a surprising parallel with Roberto Di Matteo: “Do you know who won the first Champions League with Chelsea?
This is (Roberto) Di Matteo (in 2012).
Who would have put a penny on him?
»
Undesirables
A major cleaning would be planned at PSG this summer.
According to our information, the leaders would like to separate from several players including Wijnaldum, Icardi, Draxler or Diallo in particular, who have become weights for the club.
And for Christophe Galtier, the workforce must be slimmed down.
“They are not undesirables, it is pejorative.
We have 26 or 27 players apart from the goalkeepers, it's huge.
There are players for whom the spaces of expression will be reduced.
We spoke with them.
It was not an easy exercise.
They are players we have to respect.
We will leave this season with 21 outfield players, and a few youngsters.
The big clubs that perform at a very high level are those that manage to integrate the best young people into a workforce of experience and quality, ”he says.
The message got through.
