Christophe Galtier was eagerly awaited this Friday noon at a press conference. In a week marked by the revelation of Kylian Mbappé’s departure plans, the digital army file and the arrival of Olympique de Marseille this Sunday evening at the Parc des Princes, the Parisian coach had many topics to discuss. Appearing tense in front of journalists, Christophe Galtier wanted above all to talk about the field, football, rather than dwell on the crisis affecting his club.
How are you experiencing the current period marked by the crisis affecting the club?
CHRISTOPHER GALTIER. You have to have skill and experience to manage all of this as well as possible. But you never talk about football, you ask me a lot of questions. I’m here, I’m proud to be a PSG coach and I realize game after game that we have to talk, about ten-minute conferences, 1 minute 30 of football, we’re only on the extra-sporty. And whatever I can tell you, you don’t believe me, you write the opposite, you say the opposite, of what I say. No one is interested, we write something else. On everything that can be said, I am not here to comment on rumours. On Kylian, a rumor came out, he came out with the most beautiful response, he was voted best player of the match, he was generous, supportive. But behind it we talk about other things, you have the right. I have plenty of flaws, but I’m very honest. When I tell you something, it’s because it’s true. We even go against what I say. On Kylian, did I speak with him about THE rumour? No. I saw Kylian very serious, very invested in the Benfica match, for that of Marseille. Final point. I’m very happy, very proud of this team, but still, write it down and let’s talk football.
“It’s still very special, something happens every day”
Is Kylian Mbappé disturbed by the Mediapart revelations?
If you expect me to comment on this file, you are wrong. I have players who, since the Champions League match, have immersed themselves very quickly in the preparation for the OM match. It’s a fucking summit, everyone is waiting for this match and we’re not talking about the Classico. It’s not you who gives the timing, but let me believe that these rumors come out at a time when there are super important matches or we could refocus the debate on football. We are undefeated, Marseille are having a good start to the league, we could refocus the debate on the game, the style, what is happening with us. Things are going well in the locker room, we may not kiss each other every day, but it’s going very well, it’s going much better than anything we can say or imagine. I would not answer this question. But Kylian is doing very well.
How do you approach this Classic as a Marseillais?
I am the coach of PSG, I am proud, happy, and obviously I am very happy to prepare for this match. This is the match that many are waiting for, we are focused on what we have to do, what we have to put on. These are always separate matches. We have to put in rhythm, quality, and please our supporters. They are behind the team. We are going to make sure to give them that back, to make a match enjoyable. I am very focused on PSG, the team, the game, who will be able to play. Are we going to change organization? There are a lot of thoughts.
How do you manage this daily pressure as a PSG coach?
It’s still very special, something happens every day. When I go out, prepare the details, tonight at home, there will still be something. It’s not a pressure for me to coach PSG. It’s annoying and unpleasant not to talk about football and my job. My passion is football, to prepare matches, I have no pressure. Above all, I see what it can do to my players, the environment, the team.
How do you explain the poor form of your team?
There was the international break, the players were playing, the schedule was very busy, we played 4 games over the last 10 days. We worked, but we have absentees, we play without Leo, without Kimpembe and when these players are absent, that can be one of the reasons for the poor form. Which means that the players who come in have less rhythm, a lack of connection between each other. There will be the absence of Sergio, do we have to switch to a four-man defense, do we have to change what is happening above, or in the middle? We are thinking about this and we will look at what could be best for us and in relation to OM’s style of play.