Mbappe, Messi and Neymar in same team not hindering PSG, says Coach Christophe Galtier
- by Agence France-Presse , Jan 31, 2023
Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier denied that playing Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar all together in the same side has a negative impact on the team's balance.
PSG ruled Neymar out of Wednesday's match at Montpellier because he is suffering from muscle fatigue. The Brazilian forward received treatment as he sat out training on Tuesday while the rest of his teammates prepared for the trip south following Sunday's 1-1 draw at home to Reims in Ligue 1. Neymar scored the opening goal against Reims, but PSG conceded an equalizer deep into stoppage time as its lead over second-placed Lens remained three points.
The French league leader has won just one of four league games this month, but Galtier rejected suggestions that the presence of Neymar, Mbappe and Messi was hurting the team's stability.
"We have at PSG three incredibly strong attacking players — Kylian, Leo and Ney, with 55 goals and 34 assists since the start of the season," Galtier said. "To say that we have to leave one of them out to be balanced is a mistake. We've been able to play well and be solid with all of three of them."
PSG face a run of six games in 19 days including the first leg of its Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich on February 14.
"January hasn't been good and everyone needs to have it in their heads that February will be better," Galtier added.
He confirmed that the club was in talks to sign Moroccan winger Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea but said no deal had been completed.
"We will comment on the transfer window when it is closed," Galtier said. "As for whether one, two or three players might come in, based on what I have read, the club is working hard... but I'm not going to comment on potential arrivals or departures. If there are no arrivals, there are no arrivals."
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The three are good for the club. They are very different players. Mbappe is a big strong striker and centerbacks don't like to see him running to goal. Neymar is a flair forward. Messi can do it all and seamlessly adapts his play to what the team needs--winger, playmaker, goal-scorer, whatever. The three of them complement each other.