Post-Match Press Conference: Galtier Analyzes PSG’s Dominant Victory
Following Paris Saint-Germain’s emphatic 7-0 triumph over Brest in the UEFA Champions League, manager Christophe Galtier lauded his team’s performance and addressed key aspects of the match and the team’s overall progress.
Match Analysis
"I want to emphasize the difficulty of facing Brest," Galtier said. "They’ve always been a tough opponent and are one of the best teams in France. We had a strong start to the match, which is crucial when facing such a formidable opponent. We didn’t let ourselves relax. The first goal extinguished Brest’s hopes, and the second half was much easier for us. We maintained our precision and capitalized on our opportunities. We showed respect to one of the top teams in France, and I congratulate Brest and their coach, Éric Roy."
Dream Draw: Liverpool or Barcelona
When asked about his preference for the next stage opponents, Galtier expressed his admiration for both Liverpool and Barcelona. "I’d love to draw Liverpool or Barcelona. Both teams are exceptional," he said.
Seven Different Goalscorers
"Scoring seven goals with seven different players is a remarkable achievement," Galtier remarked. "I don’t believe it’s ever happened before in the history of the Champions League. It epitomizes the strength of our team. We scored because every player was willing to pass the ball to the best-positioned teammate. If they had been selfish, we wouldn’t have scored as many. I love that attitude. It’s the best way to approach a two-legged tie, and I commend all the players."
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s Impact
Galtier praised the contributions of new signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has quickly impressed in his short time at PSG. "He’s a top-class player, without a doubt," Galtier said. "It’s challenging to find players who can significantly enhance a squad through the transfer window. He still needs time to adapt, but he’s eager to show his quality and help the team. When a player makes such a significant defensive effort in the 90th minute, it’s a testament to their team spirit."
Maintaining Intensity
Galtier emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and intensity throughout the match, regardless of the scoreline. "Our supporters always back us, so we have a responsibility to show them the utmost respect," he said. "The result may seem excessive, but Brest is a high-quality team. We play the same way regardless of the score. It’s the best way to acknowledge the challenge presented by Brest."
Player Decision-Making
"The key for the sporting director and the coaching staff is to identify players who naturally possess the qualities we seek," Galtier explained. "We had a solid foundation when I arrived, with several top-level players. The new signings have further enhanced our capabilities and playing style. It’s challenging to recruit players because the standard is so high."
Senny Mayulu and Gonçalo Ramos
Galtier praised the performances of young players Senny Mayulu and Gonçalo Ramos. "Mayulu is a product of this club, a unique club," he said. "He’s at the start of his career, and the coaching staff is confident in giving young players a chance. He’s a player for both the present and the future. I appreciate his attitude and his quality. He scored today. Gonçalo Ramos deserves a mention as well. He always plays with great intensity, whether he’s on the field for 10 minutes or 90. He could have been the man of the match today, along with Kvaratskhelia. But ultimately, Vitinha was chosen, which is unsurprising and will continue to be the case in the years to come. I love the spirit of our players. That’s what makes a team: everyone relying on each other."
Bradley Barcola’s Early Rebuke
Galtier revealed that he gave Bradley Barcola a stern talking-to early in the match. "I react to what I see on the pitch, and Brest could have scored in the opening 10 minutes," he said. "Marquinhos cleared one off the line early on. After winning 3-0 in the first leg, it’s easy to assume the tie is over. After a 7-0 win, it may seem ridiculous to say, but matches can quickly turn against you. You have to give 100%. There were aspects of the first 10-15 minutes that I didn’t like. I communicated that to the players. After the first goal went in, it extinguished Brest’s hopes. The game was practically over, which allowed our players to relax. I want the players to be ready every time we step onto the pitch."
Progression and Readiness for Liverpool or Barcelona
Galtier assessed PSG’s progress and readiness for a potential clash with European giants Liverpool or Barcelona in the next round. "You’d have to ask the coaches of those teams what they think of PSG," he said. "But our qualifying campaign was unfair. We deserved to have five more points and be among the top eight. Instead, we had to take this arduous path. No matter: it’s made us better and prepared us for the future."
Fabian Ruiz’s Risk
Galtier acknowledged the risk of yellow-carded midfielder Fabian Ruiz missing the next match, but he praised the player’s determination. "He’s in good form," Galtier said. "He lacked confidence in front of goal today and could have scored, but he’s a valuable player for us. If he had received a yellow card, he would have missed the next game, and Warren Zaïre-Emery is not yet ready to start. That’s why he came off. He’s on the same page as his teammates and wants to contribute to the team. He’s a key player for us."
Room for Improvement
Despite PSG’s dominant performance, Galtier believes there’s always room for improvement. "We can improve in every aspect," he said. "We’ve implemented our playing philosophy from the outset. We want possession, we want to attack and defend together, with maximum intensity. We want to take risks and give our young players opportunities. We won’t be eliminated because of fear. Our supporters deserve to be entertained by our performances while we also win. These are the fundamental principles, and nothing has changed. We’ve improved because of the quality of our players. We were close to reaching the final of every competition last season. We’re still far from that point in the season, but we want to go as far as possible in every competition and fight for every trophy."
