ANALYSIS
It was the event Friday night, the long awaited return of Neymar to the Parc des Princes. If the Parisians have quietly imposed 2-0 against Lille, everything has not gone as planned for the Brazilian. Replaced in the 64th minute, Neymar joined the locker room without even addressing a single look at Thomas Tuchel. For our columnist Isabela Pagliari, this event is mainly the result of a certain evolution in the behavior of the Parisian coach vis-à-vis his Brazilian star.
The group above all
In a press conference, the German technician said: "Neymar could not play 90 minutes". But as noted by our Brazilian columnist, this episode comes after another, all fresh. Thursday, the coach had indeed expressed dissatisfaction with Neymar's trip to Madrid a few days earlier to attend the Davis Cup. "As a coach, I love this flight, not at all, it's clear, but is it time to lose your mind?" No, "he told the press.
"This is the first time that Tuchel says something that does not go in the direction of Neymar," notes Isabela Pagliairi. "Thomas Tuchel was very protective of Neymar, especially during the transfer window periods, and today Tuchel decided to protect his entire group in great shape," the Brazilian journalist said. Before adding: "Neymar must show himself more, on and off the pitch, to regain some interest from his coach."
"Before, the PSG was too dependent on Neymar"
Although Thomas Tuchel has not yet accepted the idea of playing without Neymar, Thiago Silva, he said bluntly after the match against Lille: "We learned to play without Neymar". And for Isabela Pagliari, "it's positive for PSG, before PSG was too dependent on Neymar".
This Tuesday night, the Parisians move to Madrid in the Champions League to face Real Zinedine Zidane. A meeting where the PSG will have to ignore the evils of the Brazilian player. Between injury and suspension, Neymar will participate in his first meeting of the Champions League since December 11.