PSG Failed, Galtier Blames Qatar World Cup

In a lengthy interview with L’Equipe, Christophe Galtier notably discusses his failed stint at PSG.

No luck. Christophe Galtier didn’t have any luck in Paris, as he confides in the interview with L’Equipe this Saturday. Everything was going well until the World Cup in Qatar. Then the players returned demobilized. “Never have players played so much in such a short time in Europe. After an almost perfect run, crash! Thirteen or fourteen players from Paris Saint-Germain participated in the World Cup. There was no break in the team. It was mainly about digesting it. It generated fatigue, both physical and mental, injuries – and significant ones, like Neymar’s ankle, the loss of “Kim” (Editor’s Note: Kimpembe, who didn’t play in the World Cup) or the Portuguese players -, frustration for some, sadness for others. I knew it would be complicated.”

Regarding the Champions League, Galtier believes PSG “was unlucky in this competition.” Many players were no longer “fresh” after the World Cup. “Some players didn’t have the performance they have today. Vitinha suffered after the World Cup, and Fabian Ruiz had physical problems upon arrival.”

And the trio of Mbappé, Messi, Neymar? They “were very successful, both in the game and in their commitment, but we lost Neymar (in February). That too, everyone forgot,” he concludes. However, he assures that it was a “real pleasure to coach this group, these players, and to be around President Nasser and all the people in this club on a daily basis.”