Lionel Messi and his PSG teammates receive instructions from DT Christophe Galtier. Photo: AFP)
The Champions League is Paris Saint-Germain’s great obsession. Everyone thought that the fearsome offensive trident made up of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé would be enough to get the Orejona into the windows of the Parc des Princes without too much difficulty. Hand. The all-powerful French club, pushed by the Qatari wallet, failed to reach his maximum goal after being knocked out in an incredible streak against Real Madrid. Therefore, instead of adding more figures in a rose full of figures, Christopher Galtier’s priority is to add another type of reinforcement and decided to include a sports psychologist in the technical staff.
According to the sports newspaper L’Equipe, of PSG They are in talks to involve a mental health specialist who works with the team on a daily basis. They believe that in this way the team will be able to strengthen in moments of greatest adversity. Moments like those experienced against Nice for the Coupe de France, or as against Real Madrid, the latest champion, in the round of 16 of the last Champions League.
At PSG they don’t want to be protagonists of an elimination like the one they had against Real Madrid. Photo: AFP
It wouldn’t be new in European football: the England national team, Liverpool, Manchester United and many German Bundesliga teams have a sports psychologist. And they all agree that since he brought in a mental health specialist, the group’s relationship has improved and both challenges and disappointments have been dealt with more positively.
This wouldn’t be the only reinforcement they plan on the team. They would also add a nutritionist who is permanently attached to the team, and to monitor compliance with the diets and physical routines of each of the players.
Liverpool, another team that works with a sports psychologist. (Photo: Glyn KIRK / AFP)
Galtier and its strict regulations
Galtier took office in early July as the new coach, replacing Mauricio Pochettino. And, although he has not yet completed a month at the helm of the team, the hand of the French is already perceived on the pitch and also in the locker room.
Is that as revealed by L’Equipe and Le Parisien, two of the most important sports media in France, the brand new DT has imposed a strict internal regulation on the Parisian changing roomwith the aim of improving coexistence, responsibility and enhancing the work culture.
One of the first rules concerns punctuality. The coach has set an arrival time for training that must be respected by all the team and staff. The players, therefore, must arrive between 8.30 and 8.45 at Camp des Loges, the club’s sports city, to have breakfast together. Those arriving late without prior authorization or valid justification will not be able to join the group and will have to go home.
Galtier and Neymar. (Photo: AP / Eugene Hoshiko)
On the other hand, an increasingly widespread rule in locker rooms points to the use of mobile phones. In this case, Galtier has banned the use of devices at breakfast and lunch, so that players can interact with each other and “encourage the positive spirit” on campus.
The creation of the new regulation already seems to have an effect on campus e an example would be the case of Neymar. L’Equipe points out that the Brazilian, often criticized – sometimes more than necessary – for his indiscipline and especially for the delay in training, he maintained exemplary behavior in these early preseason days, with the tour of Japan included.
Source: Clarin
