Jean-Baptiste Sarrazin, with AFP 8:29 p.m., February 27, 2023, modified at 8:29 p.m., February 27, 2023

Two ahead with Messi and Mbappé and with extra motivation, Paris Saint-Germain got back on track in Marseille (3-0) and built up confidence ahead of their crucial trip to Bayern Munich , March 8.

Coach Christophe Galtier also gave himself a breath of fresh air after a difficult period.

After a period of strong turbulence, marked by three defeats in a row, including the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League against Bayern at the Parc des Princes (1-0), Paris gave itself some air by humiliating his old rival at home.

Even if the future of coach Christophe Galtier will undoubtedly depend on the result in Bavaria, this little breath of fresh air is timely for Paris Saint-Germain before tackling the most decisive meeting of their season. 

Paris won a big match "in a difficult period", underlined Marco Verratti.

"We deserved this victory. We are very happy with the result and the way".

"The important match is against Bayern Munich", confirmed consultant Michel Moulin in 

Europe 1 Sport.

>> READ ALSO

- "Fifa The Best" trophies: Messi, Mbappé, Benzema ... Who to succeed Lewandowski?

positive

Positive: this is also the meaning of speaking in the mixed zone of Parisian President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, unaccustomed to this kind of media intervention after a meeting.

"I want to give the players a lot of confidence, for everyone, and you too the media, so you speak a little positively about us", launched the Qatari leader with a smile, before assuring Galtier of his " trust".

Without Neymar injured, it certainly lacked a genius on the ground but the Parisian performance showed that the team was gaining in balance by aligning only two of the members of the famous "MNM".

In this configuration, the double of Kylian Mbappé, who had sorely missed PSG, on February 8 in Marseille in the Coupe de France (2-1 defeat), reminded us that this team was transfigured by the mere presence of the 2018 world champion. "There is a PSG with Mbappé and a PSG without", as underlined by the Marseillais Mattéo Guendouzi.

With the permanent danger he represents in depth, no defense can rest easy, that of Bayern either, as proved by his 33 minutes spent on the lawn during the knockout stages of the Champions League, which had almost changed the course of the game.

>> DISCOVER HERE

- With 200 goals in a PSG jersey, Kylian Mbappé equals Edinson Cavani's record

Messi transcended?

Mbappé "is a player from another planet", also praised Marseille coach Igor Tudor.

"If we compare with the Cup match, the difference is them, not us. What has changed is what they did, their way of behaving and their number 7".

Lionel Messi was sparkling, scoring a goal and providing two assists to his number 7. Already against Lille, the previous Sunday, he had signed a free kick at the last second in a crucial victory against Lille (4-3 ) to end the losing streak.

>> READ ALSO

- Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi under investigation for rape

Motivation

What has also changed compared to the Classic on February 8 is the motivation of the Parisians.

"They were very concentrated, added the Croatian technician, they ran a lot, as I have rarely seen them do. When a team like this comes with this motivation, it's difficult".

"When Ramos, Ruiz, Verratti, Messi, Marquinhos and the others play like that, maybe we give the impression of having been slower, but in fact it's them. We played the same way" , Tudor continued.

"We defended higher, with depth, intensity, we won a lot of duels", details Verratti.

Without Neymar and with only two offensive players, Galtier took the opportunity to return to a three-man defense, which he "had worked a lot the first four months" during which PSG remained undefeated.

The only bad news of the evening was the serious injury to Presnel Kimpembe, a ruptured right Achilles tendon which ended his season.

The versatile Danilo Pereira, excellent in Marseille, should ensure the role of third defender in Munich.

Neymar is still treating his sprained ankle and hopes to return for the shock in Bavaria even if his chances remain minimal.

But even with its injuries, Paris "arrives at a decisive moment of the season" with "a victory that gives confidence", concludes Verratti.