presence or not of Mbappé, tensions in the locker room… What to remember from the conference of Galtier and Neymar before the 8th final

After two consecutive defeats against Olympique de Marseille in the Coupe de France (1-2) and against AS Monaco in Ligue 1 (1-3), Paris Saint-Germain have few certainties when approaching their eighth first leg of the Champions League against Bayern Munich, at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday February 14. On the eve of this meeting, Christophe Galtier and Neymar showed up on Monday to answer questions from journalists. Franceinfo:sport summarizes what to remember from this press conference.

Kylian Mbappé will not be there to make up the numbers

The good news arrived in the afternoon for PSG supporters: Kylian Mbappé is well in the group of 22 players called up to play the match against Bayern Munich. Less than two weeks after injuring his thigh in Montpellier in Ligue 1, the striker of the Blues could already make his return, while PSG had announced his withdrawal for this meeting. “Kylian trained individually yesterday and collectively today, doing the entire session.”explained Christophe Galtier.

The Parisian coach nevertheless calmed the ardor of the Parisian fans: “His post-training feedback is very positive. But it is not sure that he is on the score sheet. We will review tomorrow morning“One thing is certain: Kylian will not be on the scoresheet to make up the numbers.”Will Kylian be on the bench to scare our opponents? If he is on the game sheet, he will be to play. How long ? I don’t know, but he won’t make an appearance on the bench“, assured Galtier.

Neymar recognizes tensions within the group

After the defeat in Monaco on Saturday, The Team revealed that a very heated exchange took place in the dressing room between Neymar, captain Marquinhos and sporting director Luis Campos. What Neymar confirmed, questioned on the subject on Monday: “Yes, it happened, but it was a small discussion, a small exchange. We didn’t agree, but these are things that happen. It happens every day. Discussion is part of football. There is respect, but these things can happen.“

In essence, the Brazilian number 10, who had not appeared at a press conference for over a year with PSG, explained that these exchanges “are part of the process to improve membership. It helps to clarify everyone’s mentality” Christophe Galtier did not say anything else: “When there is frustration, it has to come out. This is how I’ve run my players for years.” But the coach also called for restraint: “You need calm, serenity, because if you are upset, you spend energy for nothing. (…) We talked, I listened well and I dare to hope that they listened well.” Neymar nevertheless regretted that these tensions were revealed in the media: “It’s not normal that what happens in the locker room comes out in the press. There are things that should stay between us.“

Christophe Galtier wants to rely on the quality of his group

Asked about the duel that will oppose him to Julian Nagelsmann, the young coach (35 years old) of Bayern Munich, Christophe Galtier preferred to evoke a match between “PSG and Bayern”. The Parisian technician especially appealed to the quality of his group to explain a potential victory against the Bavarian club. “The actors are the players“, underlined the Parisian technician, as if to avoid mentioning the tactical match against his counterpart.

It must be said that he will be able to count on a larger and more experienced group than in the last matches, with the returns of Kylian Mbappé, Marco Verratti, Fabian Ruiz and Lionel Messi. “The team that will be lined up tomorrow will look nothing like the group that traveled to Monaco.”he recalled, before specifying that his “players are used to these meetings. They know how to raise their level of play, their standards and their involvement“.