"The first idea was to give them training at 9:30 p.m...." Christophe Galtier couldn't help but joke.
Asked Friday via PSG.TV about the risks of a New Year's Eve on the eve of going to face Lens, this Sunday (8:45 p.m., Prime Video), for the shock of the 17th day of Ligue 1, the Parisian coach quickly allayed the fears of observers.
"It's the first time it's happened to us in France," he continued.
Obviously there is the question: what will happen to the players?
Will they have their meal adapted?
Are they going to drink some alcohol?
But I have high-level players who are used to stringing together matches.
I have total confidence in them, I know it's a very professional group.
They are aware of what is at stake in this poster.
It's the first against the second so we're going to have to play a full match to give ourselves a chance of winning.
But the problem we have, RC Lens has it too.
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On this last point, PSG may not leave completely on par with the northern club.
The formation of Franck Haise has indeed planned a more radical solution to avoid any unpleasant surprises with a green this Saturday evening.
“We will spend midnight in our rooms and in our beds to be in good shape on Sunday”, underlined the Lensois technician.
All eyes are (again) on Mbappé
This meeting in a full Bollaert stadium, where a thousand Parisian supporters, including 600 ultras, will be present, promises above all to be a magnificent football match.
Sportingly, Paris will seek to continue its march forward after its success snatched after additional time against Strasbourg (2-1) Wednesday, December 28.
The Lensois, despite an exceptional start to the season with only three fewer wins than PSG – 11 wins including 8 in a row at home – are seven points behind since the draw conceded in Nice (0-0) on Thursday.
“By his number of points and the quality of play in my eyes, yes, on this first part of the championship, he is surely the most difficult opponent that we are going to play”, admitted Galtier.
For its New Year's Day challenge, PSG will have to compose without Messi, still on vacation for a few hours, or Neymar suspended after his double yellow against Strasbourg.
Once again, therefore, all eyes will be on Kylian Mbappé, already the hero of Wednesday's evening.
And even Franck Haise is planning a very special reception for him.
“I believe that Lensois supporters, Bollaert supporters and those who will be present, are first and foremost football lovers, game lovers and I think they will give Mbappé a warm welcome because he deserves it. , thus advanced the coach of the Sang et Or. Because beyond doing a lot of things for Paris, he also does a lot for the France team.
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Mbappé will be on a mission to guide Paris to further success.
According to Christophe Galtier, he is more than ever ready for that.
"He is very dynamic, very invested in his role as a player who is growing week after week, match after match," he said on Friday after training.
He scored 56 goals in 56 games in 2022. How lucky we are, obviously at PSG and me being a bit selfish, but especially in France, to have a player like that!
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