Christophe Galtier held his first Ligue 1 pre-match press conference of the new season ahead of Sunday’s match against Reims at 15:00 CET at Allianz Riviera and spoke about how he has settled at the club, the preseason and who will wear the captain’s armband this season…

After Friday's training session, which took place in front of the Gym's adoring fans, the coach looked back on this final week of preseason: "We had a complete week of work, it was very studious, with a lot of rhythm and intensity. It was a busy week in terms of work. We went back over what worked against AC Milan (1-1) but also over what didn't work in that match. We are in the middle of a period of adjustment, especially on the defensive side where we have to be much more precise and put in a lot more intensity and determination. On the offensive side, we are not clinical enough. We obviously lack a little cohesion and understanding that comes from playing together. We lack a little variety, because of the players who are missing, those who are on the treatment table or coming back from injury."

‘I KNOW IT’S NOT EASY’

Christophe Galtier was also asked about he has settled in during the summer off-season: "When a coach arrives at a new club, a new project, you want things to go quickly, but this is not the reality, even less so with what is currently happening in French football. Obviously, sometimes there can be frustration. I know that the club's management is working so that we can have a very competitive squad, but it doesn't always happen as quickly as a coach might wish. It is a very special preseason, very unique, due in part to my late arrival, but also the Euros, the Olympic Games, the health crisis, the problems of TV rights in French football. That means, what you thought you would have in 10-15 days, takes a little longer, when you are in this preseason period. It's a very, very important period, and you fall a little behind. It's not annoying, but it's frustrating. But I have come to terms with the situation and I understand it: I know that it is not easy."

‘OBVIOUSLY DANTE WILL BE OUR CAPTAIN’

Finally, the coach confirmed, loud and clear, that Dante, back from injury, will continue to wear the captain’s armband: “From the first day here, I’ve called him ‘captain’ or ‘my captain.’ Even if he’s not yet back to his very best, he has comeback extremely well and I’m very happy. Obviously Dante will be our captain, and my captain.”

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