The top two sides and biggest rivals in the French league faced each other on Sunday in a very eventful match. Despite a great result for the league leaders, it was the reaction of PSG coach Christophe Galtier reaction that caught the eye of the French people after the game.
Le Classique
Olympique de Marseille welcomed Paris Saint-Germain to the Velodrome in the 25th round of Ligue 1. The Parisian side came to the south coast having a five point advantage before the game. However despite a close 4-3 win over Lille last week, Christophe Galthier's men were on a terrible run. They come into this game knowing that they have a second leg of Round of 16 of the Champions League against Bayern Munich to prepare (they lost the first leg at home). Winning only one out if their four last games, the level of confidence of the PSG players was not at its best.
On the other hand, the home team only lost one league game, against OGC Nice, since October 2022. Marseille's confidence was as high as it could ever get. They even bet this Paris side earlier this month in the French Cup. It was the first time in 12 games that Marseille bet Paris at home in the French Cup.
In front of more than 65.000 fans, Marseille were hoping to play a beautiful game. However, Paris moved on from their bad run and beat Igor Tudor's team 3-0, thanks to an excellent match of both Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, Paris are now eight points clear at the top of the table. Mbappe scored two goals and assisted the third whilst Messi scored one and assisted the two others. Mbappe has now reached 200 goals with the club and is alongside Edinson Cavani, top goalscorers of the history of PSG.
⌛️ It's over in Marseille! Our Parisians win #LeClassique and get the 3 points! ❤️💙
⚽️ @KMbappe 25', 55'
⚽️ Messi 29'
0-3 I #OMPSG I #LeClassique pic.twitter.com/iiilPKOlHv— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 26, 2023
Paris Coach reaction after game
Galtier was very happy with his players and stated that it was a "well deserved win". He also sent a very strong message to all fans of Paris and football ahead of their upcoming second leg game against Bayern Munich in the Champions League:
The way the team played tonight gave us a sense of relief. If we can play like this at Marseille’s Vélodrome, we can play like this everywhere
However it was not that post match interview that got much attention. His outburst with a Marseille fan went viral all over the country and the football world.
Galtier's reaction needed the intervention of security as he was furious against Marseille fans provoking and insulting him.
Christophe Galtier was ready for action 🔥
pic.twitter.com/I8V18jfe5E— PSGhub (@PSGhub) February 26, 2023
What surprised everyone is that Galtier is usually a calm and composed manager but also that he was born in Marseille. The current PSG coach was actually a member of the Marseille academy in his youth. He played 52 games over two years with the professional first team of Olympique de Marseille.
Galtier never mentioned this argument in his after match interview. Although he didn't say anything, Paris president Nasser Al-Khelaifi backed his manager as he said: "I always trust my coach because I know what he can give".
SEE ALSO: Xavi Teases Return "Home" For Lionel Messi To Barcelona
