Christophe Galtier broke into the Parque de los Prncipes. “I am aware of this challenge, I know what awaits me and I feel capable of it. There is no better place than Paris Saint-Germain to win,” said the former Nice coach in his presentation.
On his debut in Paris, Galtier presented his roadmap. “No one will be above the team. I want to be demanding and determined to have the best season possible. Anyone who is not at the service of the group will be dismissed, but this will be done internally. It’s the team first and foremost,” he said.
And so the PSG puzzle started to fit together…although some pieces were still ‘loose’.
They are 1-3-4-1-2
The 1-4-4-2 was non-negotiable for Galtier in St-tienne, Lille and Nice. Everything changed when he arrived in Paris. “Before the system, I want to see the intensity, fly fast, pressure… We talked about a three-man defense, but we have time to see it. We win more when we play well. Compared to my previous clubs”, there will be a different approach. PSG often have possession. You will have to be able to attack and keep the right balance,” explained the coach.
We will use 1-3-4-1-2 this season. We played two games with him and we also work on him every day in training. There is a time of adaptation
The three plants are those used from the beginning by Galtier in a friendly against Quevilly (2-0) and Kawasaki Frontale (2-1). In the premiere of the tour in Japan, in addition, he placed an eleven that “smells” the departure [ver imagen]. “We are going to use this system this season (1-3-4-1-2). We played two games with him and we also work on it every day in training. There is a period of adaptation”, he pointed out. The blackboard is already painted.
The form of Neymar… and Messi
Mbappé renewed until 2025 and leader of the Parisian project, Galtier accommodates Messi and Neymar in his attack. “How could I not count on him! He’s a world-class footballer. You have to have a balance, but I’m clear about what I want from him and I’m sure he’ll stay,” he said. coach about the Brazilian. This pre-season, ‘Ney’ has shared an attacking duo with Kylian… with Messi in midfield: “I know where they can be comfortable. They are players who have that ability to get between the lines and be decisive.” The ‘MNM’ will continue to be key at PSG… but in a different way.
The adaptation of Sergio Ramos
The Spanish centre-back started in PSG’s first two pre-season games. Occupying the right flank of the central Parisian trio, with Marquinhos in the center and Diallo and Kimpembe on the left, Ramos was important… and even scored a penalty against Quevilly! Having overcome his injuries, the former Real Madrid player is adjusting to a new system for him. He wants to be a starter and important this season in Paris.
Donnarumma or Keylor Navas?
Galtier encountered the same “problem” as Pochettino. Who will occupy the goal? Donnarumma and Keylor Navas face off again to be the starting goal. “I have to talk to both of them. There can be a ‘1’ and a ‘2’ and change throughout the season,” assured the French coach. So far, in the two friendlies, Donnarumma has started playing the ‘tico’ the second half against Quevilly and Sergio Rico the second act against Kawasaki Frontale. In the next friendly (Urawa Red Diamonds), Keylor will have a large part of the minutes, according to Galtier.
Transfers and departures
There is a lot of traffic at PSG. Louis Fields spends a busy summer on the sports field. With the signings of Vitinha (41.5 million euros from Porto), Nuno Mendes (38 from Sporting CP) and Ekitike (loan with option to buy from Reims) those of Mukiele (RB Leizpzig), Renato Sanches (Lille), Skriniar (Inter)…
How would Galtier’s new PSG be?
And on the exit ramp, once Areola (West Ham), Bulka (Nice), Di Mara (Juventus), Simons (PSV) and Dagba (Strasbourg) have left, there are Paredes, Diallo, Wijnaldum, Icardi, Kurzawa , Ander Herrera , Draxler… segn ‘L’Equipe’ y ‘Le Parisien’. “We have to reduce the squad. We can’t have players who hardly ever play”warns Galtier. They are on it.