Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier has attempted to cool tensions after Kylian Mbappe criticised his tactics over the weekend.
The French champions were held to a goalless draw at Reims on Saturday, with Sergio Ramos sent off. Mbappe appeared to show his dissatisfaction after effectively starting as a lone striker in the game, only to later delete his post.
With Lionel Messi expected to miss Tuesday's game against Benfica through injury, and Neymar having been named among the substitutes on Saturday, Galtier's approach at the Parc des Princes is likely to come under scrutiny. However, the former Lille and Nice manager has spoken about Mbappe's comments in his pre-match press conference.
"It was a reaction in the heat of the moment, after a moment of disappointment," Galtier said. "I spoke a lot with Kylian at the start of the season and I was very attentive to his comments when he was playing for France, saying that he felt better in Les Bleus’ attacking set-up.
"Across pre-season we spoke with [football advisor] Luís Campos and the president [Nasser Al-Khelaifi] to get a fourth striker, with a different profile, who would allow for two strikers and for Kylian to play as much as possible in his preferred area. Kylian sometimes finds himself in the middle and he gets the impression that he’s a pivot. But he’s a smart player who’s capable of adapting."
Mbappe remains Ligue 1's joint-highest scorer with eight goals, and has a better goals-per-minute tally than Neymar and Terem Moffi of Lorient, the other two players to find the net eight times. His relationship with Neymar has come under plenty of scrutiny, though, with the Brazilian recently dodging a question on the subject.
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Based on Galtier's explanation, it appears Mbappe's comments about his different role at international level have not gone unnoticed. The former Monaco star has featured alongside the likes of Olivier Giroud and Karim Benzema for Les Bleus, and has spoken of what that allows him to do differently.
“I have a lot more freedom here,” Mbappe said during the international break. “The coach knows that there is a number nine like Olivier who occupies the defence.
“Me, I can walk around, go into space, ask for balls… In Paris, there isn’t that, it’s different, I’m asked to do the pivot. I’m very happy with today’s game.”
As well as addressing the Mbappe incident directly, Galtier revealed the 23-year-old should have sat out the trip to Reims. "Kylian played while ill and tired, in a match which didn’t turn out well for us," the manager said.
"I’m trying to reassure him by finding different options. We’re very mindful about his comments and his thinking because he’s a very important player for the team.”
