Two days from PSG-Monaco, the PSG coach spoke at a press conference this Friday at Camp des Loges.
Champions League, transfer window, upcoming match, he swept the club's news.
What is your opinion on Juventus, which you will face in the group stage of the Champions League?
CHRISTOPHER GALTIER.
Juventus is a very big European club, former winner of the competition, finalist not very long ago.
We are going to play a club that is used to this competition in a stadium with a great atmosphere.
On their level, I couldn't tell you: I'm focused on my team and the draw has just taken place.
The truth of the championship is not that of the Champions League.
We know that there are three former Parisians currently at Juve: Angel Di Maria, Adrien Rabiot and Moise Kean.
They also made Milik (ex-OM), a striker we know well here in L1.
You also have to know when we are going to play Juventus.
Overall, how do you judge the quality of the group in the Champions League?
Difficult to speak of level, the championships have just started.
Benfica are used to the C1, it's a hot stadium.
It's Renato's and Danilo's former club and I've been surrounded by many Portuguese people for a few seasons, so they're a long time away from going to Lisbon (laughs).
There are more difficult groups, but the competition greatly transcends players, audiences and teams, and it would be simplistic to say that PSG are the favourites.
It would be inappropriate of me to say so.
What about the possible departures of Paredes and Navas to Italy?
And have you abandoned the Skriniar track?
For Leandro Paredes, nothing is recorded today and he is a player on whom we rely, we will see according to the end of the transfer window.
Many exchanges take place between the two clubs, between Leandro and Juve as well, which is normal during the transfer window.
Regarding Navas, Keylor is a PSG player, he was injured last week but trained normally and will be in the group with us.
For our interest in an Inter player, no comment.
Are you going to start to turn over your squad from the match against Monaco?
We will make sure not to wait until the players are tired.
We are starting a cycle of 7 games in 21 days, in the league or in the Champions League.
The objectives are very high, I have a quality squad and I will build on it.
The numbers serve in this period, it is essential that players leave during the match or that others start, to keep a freshness and a level of lucidity on this series.
There will be no rest for many people, players will leave for selection.
On the match of Monaco, it will be necessary to inject fresh blood earlier than until now.
Without being choosy, the match against Montpellier was perhaps the least successful of the start of the season, with a difficult start.
Is there additional pressure at the Park?
I do not think that the start of the match against Montpellier was linked to the Park.
We had a very warm welcome, lots of encouragement and applause.
At the Parc, the teams come with low blocks which are more difficult to circumvent.
The first favorable situations took time to arrive.
If we had scored on the first penalty, the match would probably have opened up more.
I don't think there is apprehension, that's not what I feel or hear in the locker room.
There is a real desire to have a big season and to give pleasure.
There were perhaps also adjustments to be made against Montpellier in relation to the return of Kylian (Mbappé), that was done during the match and on the following match.
🎙 Christophe Galtier: “We are starting a 21-day cycle with 7 matches, between the championship and the @ChampionsLeague with high goals.
I have a quality squad and I will build on it.
» #PSGASM I #PSGLive https://t.co/xXgMJ2cBUc
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) August 26, 2022
Is your group large enough to tackle the sequence of meetings and if not, how do you plan to integrate newcomers?
This is the whole problem of the transfer window.
In the last few days, things are going to change a lot.
Players with us are in the process of leaving, others are waiting to come and join us.
We'll see how it will end.
We have identified positions in which to strengthen ourselves, added values, will this be done?
I do not know.
They are generally very high level players who have this ability to integrate quickly.
The sooner they arrive, the better.
But we are not the only ones in these cases.
You have to adapt and make sure you have the best squad to be successful in all competitions.
How do you feel as the Champions League approaches?
For me, it's not just a new page, it's a new book!
I am motivated, determined and focused.
I make sure that all of my collaborators are focused on the sequence of matches.
We want, when we are the coach of PSG, to be confronted with these meetings.
The exposure of these matches, I know it even if I don't feel it yet.
I am excited to start this competition and experience its great evenings.
In your opinion, has Neymar returned to his best level, and can he still do better?
He is making an extraordinary start to the season, he is a scorer and a passer.
There is a record 18 assists in Ligue 1, held by Angel Di Maria and Jérôme Rothen.
Is this a goal for him?
I do not know.
He is capable of altruism, of playing for his partners and, if the partner is better placed than him, he will make the right move.