Injuries in defense could lead Galtier to change system at PSG
The elimination of PSG in the Champions League, added to that in the Coupe de France, will have at least one virtue: it will lighten its calendar and allow it to hope to be in the future less affected by the injuries which dot its start. year 2023. For the trip to Brest, Christophe Galtier is of course deprived of Presnel Kimpembe (Achilles tendon) and Neymar (ankle), who have recently been operated on. The Brazilian was on Friday at the Aspetar clinic, in Doha, and the intervention was “very well done” the club said in a statement. He will now observe three to four months of recovery and his season is already over.
Bitshiabu victim of a calf crutch in Munich
This Saturday evening, Paris will also have to do without Marquinhos (unavailable ten days, “abdominal muscle insertion lesion”, according to the press release), Nordi Mukiele (ischios) and Achraf Hakimi (muscle pain). The return to training of the Moroccan international side (61 caps) is scheduled for next week.
In this context, several changes are to be expected and there is uncertainty about the tactical system chosen given the decimated defensive sector. “I am waiting to find out if El Chadaille (Bitshiabu) can start the game”, said Galtier. A point must be made on Saturday to find out if the young titi (17), victim of a calf crutch in Munich where he came into play at the break, is able to hold his place. Otherwise, the Parisian coach would probably return to a four-man defense.
“It’s March 10, some players are on their 45th game played”
Christophe Galtier, PSG coach
Some executives could also start on the bench to breathe a little. “It’s March 10, some players are on their 45th game played”, underlined the technician, Friday. No question, however, of taking lightly this match at 15th in the standings given that the French Championship is the last title that Paris, leader with 8 points in advance, can still hope to grab this season. “The team that will start will be very competitive and will have the ambition to win”he assured.
One of the questions of the evening will be the reaction and the state of mind of the reigning French champions after their exit from the European road. “We have players who have a big record but who are obsessed with the idea of adding one more line”believes Galtier, convinced that his players, like Marco Verratti, will be fully involved. “Marco is one of those great players who have had a lot of experience and manage to go from great disappointment to great motivation to get this title”he remarks.
