After a tough season under Pochettino, ex manager revealed why Galtier’s tactics benefit Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr.
Ligue 1 superstars Lionel Messi and Neymar are being utilized by Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier, according to former manager Vahid Halilhodi.
After watching his team’s 7-1 victory over Lille OSC on Sunday at the Stade Pierre Mauroy, Halilhodi spoke to the French daily L’Equipe. The 69-year-old claimed that Galtier’s (3-4-1-2) tactics since his appointment are perfect for PSG’s elite players.
“Neymar plays higher and requests balls from Messi in deeper areas. The Argentine performs in number 10, the easy game, and the intermissions,” Halilhodi added.
“I think he’s smarter, too. Compared to Barça, he moves the ball less. Messi is a footballing legend. He is more focused on helping Neymar and Mbappé in this position than he is on scoring goals and considering the Ballon d’Or. This is what I discovered last night (or yesterday).
Despite the increase in scoring since the start of the 2022–23 season, Halilhodi feels that current PSG still has room for improvement in a few areas, such as block defense substitution.
Halilhodi observed that “his first line is sometimes too far out and his corridors too wide.” In order to block the opponent and reduce the number of opportunities created, he must close more swiftly on the ball side.
Many will be watching what the 55-year-old accomplishes in the UEFA Champions League, even though Galtier has PSG performing well in Ligue 1, where the French powerhouses struggled under former manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Halilhodi believes PSG has what it takes to ultimately win the Champions League this year under Galtier, though.
The squad is unquestionably the finest in the world, according to Halilhodi. “Following that, it also involves the players’ social interactions. To maintain this level and this collaborative spirit, everyone needs to set their egos aside and work together on a single cause.
If that’s the case, I don’t see a squad that could stop him from achieving his goal. Between now and April-May, a lot can occur. But he’s had a tremendous start to the season.
