Galtier on trial with PSG against Bayern in the Champions League

PARIS (AP) — Coach Christophe Galtier identified Paris Saint-Germain’s weaknesses very well when his previous teams faced the club in the French capital.

Galtier went unbeaten in five games in two seasons with Lille and Nice, with those teams not conceding, so PSG decided to terminate Mauricio Pochettino’s contract and signed him in July.

But Galtier seems unable to fix the bugs he was exploiting and PSG stumble against Bayern Munich in the Champions League round of 16.

“We need to stop talking so much, get down to business and think things through,” said Galtier, who has every reason to be uncomfortable.

PSG have lost four of their last 10 games, conceding 13 goals. Instead, Bayern are starting to fill up after scoring 11 goals in three games.

Galtier has a headache with his striker.

Neymar, the most expensive footballer in the world with an investment of 222 million euros ($237 million) has been with wet powder in recent games for PSG.

It was feared that Kylian Mbappé would miss the game against Bayern with a left thigh injury, but he recovered faster than expected and was included in the squad, as was Argentina star Lionel Messi, who won’t didn’t play in Saturday’s loss to Monaco due to a calf injury.

Galtier indicated that he is convinced that Mbappé may be able to play a few minutes on Tuesday.

“Kylian trained with the team and was able to complete the whole session. I didn’t think I could be available,” Galtier said.

The successive defeats against its classic rival Marseille in the Coupe de France and against Monaco in the league on Saturday have soured the atmosphere within PSG.

PSG’s 3-1 loss to Monaco was PSG’s fourth in their last 10 games, and the result could have been even bigger if not for the interference of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. According to press reports, sporting director Luis Campos was so angered by the lackluster performance that he argued vehemently with Neymar and captain Marquinhos.

“There was a discussion, we did not agree with what we heard, admitted Neymar on Monday. But these are things that happen. Football is not just about love and friendship.”

Comparing it to a fight with his girlfriend, Neymar pointed out that sometimes you have to say things directly to each other.

“Respect is present, but there are times when you don’t agree with something and a discussion helps to improve things,” Neymar said. “It’s true that our last matches have not been good. Of course, it’s tense when you’ve lost.”

Neymar, however, expressed his anger that what happened was leaked to the press.

“It’s not normal that everything that happens inside the dressing room is known, it has to stay between us,” he said.

Mbappé, the top scorer at the World Cup and who didn’t feature against Marseille and Monaco, tried to encourage fans and his teammates with a message on Instagram.

“You must stand firm and be united,” he wrote.

But the tension is palpable as the club spend lavishly and live desperately to win their first European Cup, now testing the possibility of saying goodbye to the second edition in the round of 16 after the humiliating loss to Real Madrid last season. last.

Half a hundred PSG ultras demonstrated on Sunday, booing players in training on Sunday.

“I understand their disappointment, but I know they will be with us tomorrow,” Galtier said.

Bayern have won the Bundesliga 32 times and lifted their sixth European Cup by beating PSG 1-0 in the 2020 final, with Kingsley Coman scoring the winner with a header.

Coman and Thomas Müller scored in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Bochum.

But Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann was unhappy with his side’s performance against Bochum.

“If we play like this on Tuesday, it won’t get to us,” warned Nagelsmann, saying Bayern will have to be more intense.

This should intimacy at PSG, a team that suffers against rivals who squeeze them.