Leader of their group on equal points with Benfica, PSG can validate their qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League on Tuesday evening against Maccabi Haifa (9 p.m., Canal + and RMC Sport 1).
A meeting discussed at a press conference by Parisian coach Christophe Galtier on Monday, who however refused to answer questions about Kylian Mbappé's contract.
You said that Fabian Ruiz should work more than the others.
How did he catch up?
CHRISTOPHER GALTIER.
Fabian had a complicated preparation in Naples because he was about to leave.
He was left out of the group and trained alone.
He came home late, out of condition, and had very few leg sessions.
We knew he would need time to adapt.
There was an expectation around his arrival because he had been identified for a very long time by Luis (Campos) and myself.
But we didn't skip the steps, we asked him to be patient.
He did the job like a great professional.
He arrived very early in the morning, left late at night... Even if his first appearances were not at the level we expected, he had our confidence because we knew he would raise his level of play.
Was the rise of Ruiz the key to returning to four defenders?
I have quality media at my disposal.
With the first system, there were many on the sidelines.
I waited for others to step up to start working on my thinking.
Modifying an organization requires specific players and Fabian Ruiz is a specific player in that organization.
You said last month that Neymar brought balance to the previous system.
Does he still have the same role in the new one?
We changed the system in the last two games for different reasons.
We had a reflection on how to be more dangerous and to ensure that our players of the attacking trio are closer to each other and more quickly in front of the opposing goal.
We played two games in this organization.
But whatever the organization - 5-3-2, 5-2-1-2 or 4-3-3 - you have to run a lot anyway.
Even if tomorrow we were to play in this organization, we still need each other's efforts.
In this new organization, Kylian Mbappé appears more free.
Does this scheme allow you to put your three offensive players in a better position?
Don't think we've abandoned the system of three central defenders.
It is an advantage to have two different organizations.
It's been a bit stuck lately for different reasons.
I wondered how to improve the quality of our team.
I asked my staff to reflect on how to make maximum use of my squad and put the players in the best position.
The decision was also made at a time when there were absentees.
We also have to take into account the organization of our opponents.
It is true that there is this reflection on how to best position our attacking trio.
They are world-class players that any coach would dream of having.
It's up to me to figure out how to best use them.
What do you think of Renato Sanches' performance?
He is a player that we wanted to have.
We know its strengths.
But he was confronted with physical problems which led to stops, a mini preparation.
He lost time compared to his partners.
I read comments following his performances... It was important that he could start in Ajaccio.
We don't have the Renato we could have hoped for, but I know that he is a very high level player and when he is in full possession of his means, he will be at the level of his partners.
We are working to make it an added value, like Fabian (Ruiz) and Carlos (Soler).
You have to give him time to adapt.
What do the revelations of the Parisian about Mbappé's contract inspire in you?
You know that the club communicated (note: via a press release sent to RMC, the PSG ensures “to register in false against the story and the alleged details” in our article).
It's extra-sporty and it doesn't concern me.
I am focused on managing my group.
Unfortunately, something has come out again and we won't be surprised on Tuesday morning, whatever... (Smile) We're only concentrating on the pitch.