Galtier after 5-0 win against Ajaccio: "We are competitors and want the title"

PSG hosted Ajaccio for MD35 of the Ligue 1 and destroyed the visitors sending them straight to the second division and getting them relegated after a 5-0 demolition at the Parc des Princes.

This victory left Paris Saint-Germain in a position where the team only need to get three points in the next three games to clinch their 11th Ligue 1 title.

Lens can still force another week of wait with a win next weekend, but PSG would already virtually clinch the championship because of their large goal-difference advantage.

The coach of PSG, Christophe Galtier, addressed the media in his post-game press conference
after winning the second-to-last game played at the Parc des Princes this season last Saturday, hosting relegation-bound Ajaccio.

Is this a crucial victory?

"Yes, it is good for the players and it is good from a standings point of view. It is good in the way we have evolved, in the continuity of the match at Troyes, with a lot of intensity to recover the ball. The players took great pleasure in evolving together and managed to give pleasure to the supporters."

How did you take the whistles against Leo Messi?

"There were whistles but, very quickly, much of the stadium covered those whistles with cheers. He stayed on his level with the desire to contribute to the match and boost his teammates. His career has led him to enjoy these special moments."

Is PSG rediscovering the joy of playing?

"We had a difficult period, especially at home. This match is a continuation of the one in Troyes. The players were very determined to put on a serious game, it showed in the training sessions all week long. They are competitors who want to be champions of France and they see that Lens is not giving up. There is a lot of involvement and it reflects on training and the matches. They do not want a tense end to the season with pursuers who do not give up."

This is the second expulsion in a row at the Parc des Princes for Achraf Hakimi. Does he have a problem managing his emotions?

"Against Lorient, he was too committed. This was a reaction following a scuffle. I find these red cards harsh. There must be more control, we must not give the possibility to the referee to sanction in a strong enough way. But having reviewed the images, we could have had more discernment and calmed everyone down with a yellow card."

And at the end, there is also Kylian Mbappe's smile...

"He had more opportunities to get involved in the play, thanks to Hugo Ekitike who helped fix the defense of Ajaccio. He has more space and freedom, and Leo too. Kylian wants to go for this 11th title of champion of France. He also has his personal goals, with the desire to seek his fifth straight title of top scorer in the championship. He sees that other attackers score in this championship. This goal is good for him but it's also good for us."