The weight of the failures of recent seasons falls on Christophe Galtier’s shoulders. PSG’s millionaire investments have not yet turned the French champion’s obsession into reality: winning the Champions League. Mauricio Pochettino’s successor in office does not hide in the face of demands and, in a long interview with L’Equipe, assumes the desire to get his hands on the Champions League. To the Champions and… to everything else.
“And why not be me to win the Champions League with Paris SG? Do you know who won the first Champions League with Chelsea? Di Matteo. Who would have bet a cent on Di Matteo?” he returned, challenged by the question.
Being on the bench for the French emblem brings with it a series of responsibilities and exposes a coach to high risks. But the perspective of the former Nice coach is the most optimistic possible at this point. “Once you’re at PSG, you have an obligation to get results. I am very ambitious, but I have great humility. I came to Paris to win. There are three national titles: we have to win them. We have to break a record. And it is with modesty that I say that I came to Paris to win everything», he made it very clear.
Galtier addressed all the topics, not having avoided even commenting on the rumors surrounding a possible departure from Neymar. And he left the guarantee that he asked for the continuity of the Brazilian. “That was clear. We have spoken several times about the role of Neymar. Players will play 25 or 26 games between clubs and national teams until 13 November. We will need to rotate the team. I want to have a very strong eleven and I want it to be equally strong after the five substitutions allowed. There will be game time for all forwards. I know where Neymar can be comfortable, further forward in attack or ahead of the two most defensive midfielders. Both he and Messi are facilitators, players who have the ability to receive between the lines and resolve”, he explained.
In an analysis of the group he has at his disposal, the coach of the Parisians recognizes that he is at the head of «a huge squad». “We have 26 or 27 players, in addition to the goalkeepers. There are some who have lost space and with whom I have already spoken. It wasn’t easy, but everyone has to be respected. We will start the season with 21 field players and some youngsters. The big clubs that perform at a very high level are the ones that manage to integrate the best youngsters into an experienced and quality squad», pointed out the man who was given the mission to lead the Portuguese Nuno Mendes, Danilo and Vitinha.
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