Christophe Galtier and his players knock out Ligue 1. Norbert Scanella / PANORAMIC
Happy and relieved, the Parisian coach delivers his analysis after the show of force of his players in Marseille on Sunday (0-3).
Kylian Mbappe : «If he is the best striker in the world? He has just equaled a fine record with his 200 goals, we have a thought for Edinson Cavani, who was a great scorer for PSG. We all assume that Kylian will break this record. He’s probably the best striker in the world, that’s for sure, because he goes fast, and everything he does, he does it fast and with a lot of intensity. He also knows how to be present at major events. It is the mark of great players.»
The game : «We had a really good game. I had gone back to an organization on which we worked a lot during the first four months (of the season). It was also in relation to our analysis of the match (lost 2-1) in the Coupe de France (against OM on February 8, editor’s note). The presence of Kylian was important to have depth but it was also important that my pistons could participate to press the Marseillais, prevent them from putting down their game, and win the battle in the middle with three real midfielders (Ruiz, Vinitha and Verratti, Ed). In that sense, the three were good tactically because they didn’t back down too much, they knew how to harass when it was necessary to harass, but they also knew how to use the ball in a good way. It’s an important victory, but it’s also important in the way, it should give heart to the group and our supporters. I have a big thought for them, they were omnipresent at the end of the match against Lille when it was very badly started. They were also there during the week at the Parc des Princes (Friday during a session exceptionally open to the public, editor’s note). They could not make the trip but it is a victory that the whole team and the staff dedicate to the supporters. Obviously, the victory is important, but the way we played is just as important.»
After winning 3-0 in Marseille, we are not going to invent anything else in the coming weeks.
Christophe Galtier
The three-behind system : «It depends on the players you have available… The first idea was to go back to three behind with the presence of Presnel Kimpembe, who unfortunately injured himself quickly and surely seriously (ruptured Achilles tendon, editor’s note).. It was important to have a left-hander among the central three. Unfortunately, he came out quickly (15th), but Danilo (Pereira) was very good, even if it was Marquinhos who went to the left. It is also necessary to have pistons available. There was the return of Nordi Mukiele, who had not played since (January 15). We knew he was going to suffer. There was the presence of Nuno Mendes, a very modern, very intense piston, who also suffered physically. It is a system on which we built the workforce at the start of the season. At times, the absence of certain players meant that we had to move on. There was also the absence of Neymar, which led to the densification of the midfield. This system is interesting, but you have to have midfielders capable of recovering the ball, of using it well but also of projecting themselves forward. Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha projected themselves where they needed to project themselves, which allowed Leo (Messi) and Kylian to find interesting spaces. Are we going to stay in this system? We’ll see. But after winning 3-0 in Marseille, we are still not going to invent anything else in the coming weeks…»
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Presnel Kimpembe and the absence of recruitment in defense last summer and this winter : «As far as the transfer window is concerned, what happened happened, that’s how it is, there is nothing to regret. We’re going to finish the season with this squad, surely without Presnel… The squad was built like that, but it’s not just the three central defenders, there’s also what’s happening in the corridors. When there was both the absence of Nordi Mukiele, Achraf Hakimi, sometimes that of Nuno Mendes, that obviously calls into question the system. They are very important players in animation. The absence of “Ney” also meant that we compensated with three midfielders, but it was important that the three midfielders, in particular Ruiz and Vitinha, plan to go higher in order to free Marco in the ball exit.»
Eight points ahead of OM in the standings : «It is an important moment. With the results of Lens (draw against Montpellier) and Monaco (loss against Nice) and our match, that gives us an eight-point lead, which is not negligible. There are still many days left, but these eight points in advance, it is better to have them than not to have them (smile). That, I guarantee you (smile).»
My players behaved like champions. And that is fine.
Christophe Galtier
Rediscovered aggressiveness, the pride of Parisians : «It must not be a reaction of pride. We have to get back into the habit of being conquering and omnipresent in duels. Is it due to the presence of three central defenders? It was important that those on the left and on the right could get the opposing players between the lines, they did so by winning a lot of duels, with great determination. When you play at a very high level, there is an obligation to win duels, to press, to make a lot of effort. Tonight, my players made a lot of effort against an opponent who had put us in very great difficulty (February 8). Is it a reaction of pride or of champion? I don’t know. In any case, our elimination from the Coupe de France was a difficult moment. Failing to catch up, there was the possibility of scoring a big blow on the championship by winning here. They behaved like champions. And that is fine.»
Statements taken at a press conference