Galtier: We have to play completely differently than in the first game. The presence of Mbappé gives us more strength

PSG have to make up for a one-goal deficit in their Champions League semi-final rematch against Bayern Munich. The German side were the better team in the first leg, only until Kylian Mbappé came on. And it is on him that coach Christopher Galtier will rely today.

The Parisians entered the opening game with the Messi – Neymar pairing at the tip of the attack and it didn’t work at all. They were virtually cut off from the rest of the team and didn’t come up with anything dangerous.

So Bayern were 1: 0 up and comfortably in control of the lead. However, the game changed completely when Kylian Mbappé stepped onto the pitch. PSG’s best player this season was out injured, so he was not available from the start.

However, when the 24-year-old Frenchman came on in the second half, things started to happen. PSG started to have chances thanks to Mbappé and his speed, and eventually he also equalised himself to make it 1-1. However, the goal was disallowed by VAR due to a close offside by Mendes.

“We have to play completely differently than in the first game. We have a different game plan. The presence of Kylian Mbappé gives us a lot of strength. We want to play higher and put more pressure on our opponents. And if possible, to win the ball back much faster,” PSG coach Christoper Galtier said at a press conference.

There was also much talk about the absence of Neymar, who will miss the rest of the season. In France, it has been written that it may actually be an advantage for the team to be more balanced this way. Galtier disagrees with that.

“I read the debate around Neymar. It’s a handicap for the team. It’s 17 goals and 11 assists this season. Is the roster more balanced now? Yes, thanks to more midfielders. But is it better this way? Having Neymar in the line-up is another weapon to score goals,” the PSG coach added.

PSG have 90 minutes (or 120) to avert another blunder. To be eliminated for the second time in a row in the Champions League eight-finals would not please the Sheikhs in charge and heads would probably roll, just like last year. Then, coach Mauricio Pochettino and sporting director Leonardo were sacked.

Source: UEFA