Paris Saint-Germain might be at the top of Ligue 1 but not everything appears to be rosey in the Parc des Princes dressing room.
Despite boasting an elite squad that includes World Cup winner Lionel Messi as well as talented strike duo Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, Les Parisiens have already recorded four defeats since the turn of the year, including two on the bounce. And now French outlet L’Equipe report that crisis is brewing and tensions are high between the players after Saturday's 3-1 loss at Monaco.
That came just three days after PSG were dumped out the Coupe de France after an abject performance against Marseille. Neymar was believed to be furious and complained, mostly to teammate Vitinha, of not receiving the ball in the right areas and he also slammed forward Hugo Ekitike, who started the clash Stade Louis-II, for his erratic decision-making.
The issues didn't stop on the pitch as the beaten players came back into the dressing room, Sporting Director Luis Campos - who was appointed in the summer alongside boss Christophe Gaiter to help reshape the club's footballing division - voiced his anger towards what Get Football News France describe as their 'shameful attitudes' and 'lack of aggressiveness'.
Neymar and his countrymen Marquinhos were not best pleased at Campos' comments and the pair fired back at the PSG chief, arguing that his complaints weren't the main issue behind the lacklustre defeat. And it's added that Monaco couldn't believe how toxic their opponents became after the match, as the 'lively and long' verbal brawl also left several PSG staff members surprised.
The huge contingent of supporters who travelled down to the south of France were also venting their rage from the stands which prompted fan favourite and academy graduate Presnel Kimpembe to use a megaphone after full-time to try and ease tensions. His pleas didn't work though, as at least 30 angry supporters arrived outside the French champions' training ground on Sunday morning in a peaceful protest.
Galtier is now under increasing pressure to remain in the PSG hot seat, with a mammoth Champions League round-of-16 tie against Bayern Munich next up on Tuesday. And Galtier admits that he's already worried about the first leg, especially with Mbappe once again expected to be absent and Messi still an injury doubt.
In his post match press conference, he said: "There was a lack of intensity. It is the current state of the team. I can't hide behind that. The state of the team is like this. It is strange but true. It is bizarre to say that as a PSG manager, but it is the current reality.
"I am worried about the match on Tuesday night. If I wasn't that'd be something serious. We'll see if some of those that couldn't start the match today will be able to play on Tuesday. We have a very weakened team and we’re worried. In this period, you have to stay clear-headed. I understand the fans' anger. There is anger."
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