Neymar injury update
Neymar was stretchered off in the top of the table clash between PSG and Lyon last night, the Brazilian looked to have been seriously hurt and worries over a long-term injury quickly surfaced. Thomas Tuchel had to rest Kylian Mbappe to the bench after a sore Achilles tendon however the Frenchman did come on.
PSG fell to a 1-0 defeat and down to 3rd in the table despite a man advantage by the end of the match. The good news for PSG and Tuchel is however that reported scans of the Brazilian’s injury are not as bad as first feared.
Le #PSG communique sur Neymar.
Le bilan clinique et radiologique de Neymar JR, dans les suites du mécanisme d’entorse de la cheville gauche survenue hier soir, est rassurant. Un nouveau point et des nouveaux examens seront effectués dans 48 heures.
— Loïc Tanzi (@Tanziloic) December 14, 2020
“The clinical and radiological assessment of Neymar JR, following the sprain mechanism of the left ankle that occurred last night, is reassuring. A new point and new exams will be carried out in 48 hours,” wrote RMC Sport journalist Loic Tanzi.
The news will be a big relief after PSG, despite finishing top of their Champions League group will face off against Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League. PSG were able to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford and comfortably beat Istanbul Basaksehir to finish in first spot with Neymar scoring a hattrick.
Thomas Tuchel will be hoping that the scan results in the next 48 hours reveal Neymar will indeed be fit to return by February and the return of the Champions League.
Tuchel claims tiredness
Thomas Tuchel looks under serious threat with PSG now third after losing at home to Lyon. The German coach claimed his side were ‘mentally tired’ and not ‘ready to play a competitive match.’
The loss is PSG’s fourth of the season and owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi will likely only tolerate poor performances for so long before making a decision on who is best to take the club forward.
“It’s very clear we weren’t ready to play a competitive match. We made easy mistakes in dangerous situations,” said Tuchel.
“We didn’t play in a disciplined way, we didn’t follow the plan. We saw a very mentally tired team after Manchester United, Montpellier and Basaksehir. It’s not a good game in general, I saw a game with a very low level.”
MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 26: Thomas Tuchel, head coach of Dortmund looks on during a press conference after the DFB Cup semi final match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Borussia Dortmund at Allianz Arena on April 26, 2017 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
PSG conceded by casually giving away possession in their own half for Tino Kadewere to score his 5th of the season for Lyon.
“It doesn’t change anything, you can never control the result but this performance is not enough. It’s our fault. If we give gifts like that, it means that it’s not serious enough because we have the qualities to win every match,” Tuchel added.
“We’re going to push again. We made some steps forward, but today is a big step back.”
