PSG Champions League campaign a ‘new book’ for coach Galtier

Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier says the upcoming Champions League campaign will be a “new page” for the club but a “new book” for himself having learned the identity of their group stage opponents.

PSG were pitted against Juventus, Benfica and Maccabi Haifa in Group H in Thursday’s draw as the club once again try to finally end their wait to lift European club football’s most coveted prize.

Galtier does have previous experience of the Champions League, coaching Lille in the 2019-20 competition. However, being at the helm of a club expected to contend to win the tournament is a new experience for the former Saint-Etienne and Nice boss.

Asked how he is feeling ahead of his second Champions League campaign, Galtier said: “It’s a new page for PSG, it’s a new book for me. I am very motivated and determined, while staying focused. When you are the PSG coach, you want to be involved in these type of games.

“We know about the exposure and pressure in these games, I have not really felt it yet, but it will come. I’m looking forward to it, being involved in the competition and these big European evenings.”

PSG are set to face an extremely congested fixture list as they juggle domestic and European commitments before the pause for the World Cup in November.

There are players in our squad that are closer to leaving, we are also hoping to bring players in,” he said. “We have singled out the positions where we are still looking to strengthen with quality players, but will that happen or not? I don’t know.

“The later it gets, the harder it is to integrate them, but players who join PSG are top quality and have the ability to settle in quickly.

“The quicker they arrive the better, but there is still uncertainty there, and I am not the only one and we are not the only big club in this situation. We have to adapt and ensure we have the best possible squad to perform as well as we can in all competitions.”

PSG midfielder Leandro Paredes has been linked with Juventus and goalkeeper Keylor Navas is the subject of speculation over a move to Napoli. There has also been talk of a late final PSG push to sign Inter defender Milan Skriniar, a player frequently connected with the club.

“In terms of Leandro Paredes, nothing is done at the moment, we will see how it goes by the end of the transfer window, there are lots of conversations going on,” said Galtier.

“I know Leandro has been in talks with Juventus, which is normal. At the moment, Leandro Paredes is a PSG player and has been heavily involved in our games.

“As for Keylor Navas, he is a PSG player, he got injured last week before the game, he is playing normally and he will be in the squad.

“As for the Inter player you mentioned, I have no comment to make.”