- Title: PSG breathing easier after back-to-back wins, says coach Galtier
- Date: 19th May 2023
- Summary: SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE, FRANCE (MAY 19, 2023) (REUTERS) PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN PLAYERS, INCLUDING FORWARDS LIONEL MESSI AND KYLIAN MBAPPE, DURING TRAINING VARIOUS OF TRAINING IN PROGRESS PLAYERS, INCLUDING MBAPPE, DURING TRAINING PLAYERS TRAINING, COACH CHRISTOPHE GALTIER WALKING BY GALTIER ARRIVING FOR PRESS CONFERENCE PSG LOGO (SOUNDBITE) (French) PSG COACH, CHRISTOPHE GALTIER, SAYING: "I quickly felt that, after our faceoff against Lorient, there was great remobilisation among everyone, first and foremost among the players. The fact that we had a quite successful match in Troyes and the fact that we were able to win against Ajaccio last weekend, of course, that relieves a bit of the pressure. But just like last week, the players this week were very serious in their efforts, very serious throughout the entire week." PLAYERS INCLUDING MESSI, MBAPPE AND DEFENDER AND CAPTAIN MARQUINHOS TRAINING, STAFF STANDING BY TRAINING IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (French) PSG COACH, CHRISTOPHE GALTIER, SAYING: "We have an important - a very important - match. We're nearing the end of the competition, and as I always tell my players, we should not count on those trailing behind, especially (current Ligue 1 second placer) Lens, which I'm sure will not waste any point until the end of the competition. It's up to us to do the work, to perform well. We'll have a match that is completely different compared to what we had in Troyes or in Ajaccio." GALTIER SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (French) PSG COACH, CHRISTOPHE GALTIER, SAYING: "Every time they (Messi, Mbappe and Neymar) were on the pitch together, they performed well and PSG performed very well, we had a very interesting offensive play. But this is all part of a particular season, a season in which we didn't have everyone at the same time. So the regret is about not having had this offensive trio in crucial matches of course." JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (French) PSG COACH, CHRISTOPHE GALTIER, SAYING: "He (Marquinhos) is one of the world's best centre defenders, a Brazilian international player, and he's omnipresent (in the club) for 10 years now, and so this is really great news. It's also a strong signal to everyone. PSG wants to remain competitive, and there is ambition for the coming seasons." JOURNALIST USING LAPTOP GALTIER LEAVING AFTER PRESS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 2nd June 2023 14:14
- Keywords: Auxerre France Lens Ligue 1 Mbappe Messi PSG soccer
- Location: SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE, FRANCE
- City: SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Europe,Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001365619052023RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Paris St. Germain have slightly eased the pressure on their shoulders after recovering from a stumble in their Ligue 1 campaign and claiming successive wins as they bid to defend their title, coach Christophe Galtier said on Friday (May 19).
PSG, who are six points clear of second-placed Lens with three games remaining this season, lost three out of four home games during a poor run in March and April - including a 3-1 defeat to Lorient.
However, their bid to win a ninth French title in 11 years appears to be back on track after free-scoring displays against Ajaccio and Troyes in recent weeks.
"The fact that we played a fairly successful match at Troyes and that we were able to win against Ajaccio last weekend, that takes the pressure off a little. But the players have been very serious in their work throughout the week," Galtier told reporters ahead of Sunday's (May 21) trip to 16th-placed Auxerre.
Galtier also bemoaned his side's injury problems up-front, highlighting their inability to consistently play their strongest attacking line-up of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
Messi and Mbappe have both missed league games due to minor injuries, while Neymar has been ruled out for the rest of the season after ankle surgery in March.
"Concerning Messi, Mbappe and Neymar, as soon as I took over, it was an objective to be able to associate them together," Galtier said.
"Unfortunately, with the World Cup, injuries and fatigue, we were not able to take advantage of them throughout the season.Â
"Every time they were on the pitch, PSG performed very well. We had a very interesting offensive game."
Brazilian defender Marquinhos, who has established himself as a first-team regular since joining PSG in 2013 and was appointed captain in 2020, signed a long-term contract extension until 2028 on Friday.Â
Galtier hailed the announcement as good news, adding, "he is one of the best central defenders in the world. He has been omnipresent for ten years."
"It's a strong signal to everyone. PSG want to remain competitive."
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