Galtier admits Paris Saint-Germain is more balanced without Neymar

Paris Saint-Germain announced on Monday that Neymar will undergo ankle surgery and will be sidelined for the rest of the season. Paris Saint-Germain needs to overturn a 1-0 deficit after losing their Champions League round of 16 first-leg at home to the Bundesliga champions. After back-to-back Ligue 1 victories over Marseille and Nantes, Christophe Galtier accepts his side is more balanced without Neymar.

"I've read the debate around Neymar. It's unfortunate for him and a handicap for the team," Galtier said at Tuesday's pre-match press conference.

"Look at his goals and assists this season. When I read that it could be a good thing for us, no! The player is seriously injured.

"He's always been professional since I've been here, though he did have a difficult period after the World Cup.

"Is the team better balanced? Yes. But is it better like that? Having Neymar in the squad is an additional asset for us to score goals."

PSG is yet to keep a clean sheet in the Champions League this season. Being asked if his side is too open defensively, Galtier said: "Every system has its flaws and its strong points.

"In the last few games we've conceded goals. We have to fix that and we are working on it together.

"We talk about this a lot. There are flaws with us, but also with our opponent. We need to make sure we're vigilant and also daring in the way we attack."

Marco Verratti hopes Kylian Mbappe's sharp form helps his side overturn the 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture.

"In matches like this, we need everyone," Verratti said. "Mbappe is a player who is always present in the big matches.

"Kylian is Kylian. We are lucky to have him here. He has a great personality – we need players like him. We have confidence as we know nothing has been lost.

"There is a lot of pressure on us because something big is on the line. But we always like having that pressure here and I'm sure the team will give everything tomorrow."

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