By meeting his old friend Laurent Blanc on the Rhône bench, Christophe Galtier will be able to discuss the difficulties of the job of coach of PSG during this 29th matchday of Ligue 1.

Moreover "Galette" does not forget to greet "Lolo", with whom he was champion of Europe Espoirs in 1988.

"Already, it's the return of Laurent Blanc to the Park, who has a very good course with PSG, I know he will be well received, many people will take pleasure in greeting him," anticipates Galtier, who is never whistled by the Park, as Mauricio Pochettino was his predecessor.

If the Cévenol had been sacked in 2016 just after being extended and crowned champion of France, the Provençal pitches a little after being eliminated in the knockout stages in the Coupe de France as in the Champions League.

"Not falling into the easy"

There is still a title to conquer at the Marseillais not to end up fanny. He feels "legitimate" and "prepares for next season" with Luis Campos, sporting director of the club even if he does not bear this title (he is a football advisor).

This volley of last ten matches, "personally I approach it with a lot of determination and lucidity," says the Parisian technician.

With six points ahead of Marseille (2nd), held in check Friday by Montpellier (1-1), his team seems safe. But it has already conceded seven defeats in 2023, including four in L1, and remains on a completely missed match at the Parc against Rennes (2-0).

After Lyon, only 10th nine lengths from the European places, Paris will face Nice (7th), unbeaten since January 2 and Lens (3rd), candidate for the Champions League.

PSG's Argentine striker Lionel Messi during the match against Rennes on March 19 at the Parc des Princes © FRANCK FIFE / AFP/Archives

"If we perform, starting with Sunday, it will allow us to maintain a significant gap, or even more," said Galtier, optimistic.

"We must not fall into the easy," he stresses. In football, "everything can go very fast, you have to be very vigilant and keep the determination and the desire to go and win matches and another title," Galtier continued.

And then "when we look at our schedule, behind these three games, we are dealing with teams that play their maintenance, it will always be difficult," he added. Paris must notably go to Angers, red lantern with only two victories (the last in September 2022), and face Troyes, Ajaccio, Auxerre, Strasbourg and Clermont.

Lyon lead in semi-final

Lyon is having a difficult season, on alternating current, but Galtier is wary of it.

"Three days later they have an important match in the Coupe de France (semi-final against Nantes, editor's note) and a victory in the final would give them access to a European competition, which is Lyon's objective, but I do not imagine Laurent coming with a second team to protect his match on Wednesday," warns the coach.

PSG-OL, "it's a poster of our championship, a beautiful exhibition, the good players of Olympique Lyonnais, the internationals, will want to express themselves on Sunday night".

Galtier is probably thinking of Alexandre Lacazette, the Lyon captain, author of three goals in two games since his return from injury.

The Parisian can still count on the new captain of the France team, Kylian Mbappé, but not on Sergio Ramos, absent from the group unveiled Saturday. Neymar will not play again this season and Lionel Messi is very disappointing.

PSG's French striker Kylian Mbappe during the match against Rennes in Ligue 1 on March 19 at the Parc des Princes © Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP/Archives

The Argentine world champion, at the end of his contract, is in negotiations, but his future, "it remains very confidential", only drops Galtier.

After calling a lot of "Titis" from the training center to training while "everyone was scattered all over Europe and the world with the selections, whether at the youth or the confirmed players", Galtier must restart the machine.

The eleventh title, record, is not far away, but to win it, PSG must stop losing.

© 2023 AFP