Neymar doesn’t spend time with PSG
What happens when a team that relies on moments fails to capitalize on said moments?
From a strength in the second half, leading 1-0 and staying at the top of the Champions League group, PSG were forced to give up their advantage and by extension the group.
In Mauricio Pochettino’s view, it mostly revolves around a moment.
With 17 minutes remaining and the game locked, Neymar collected the ball at the edge of the box. Reduce his speed over City man defensively, he had the aim in his mourning.
However, his shot went wide of the post.
Less than two minutes later, Man City won.
The episode featured Neymar’s season in the French capital. While many expected him to thrive following the arrival of former teammate Lionel Messi at Barcelona, he has cut a somewhat awkward figure. Most frightening is that a team that demanded decisiveness in the final third place match is now facing the opposite from the Brazilians.
PSG’s game plan for the evening reflects their approach to the match at the Parc des Princes in September. Pochettino packed his midfield with fitness – Ander Herrera replaced Marco Verratti in the starting line-up – before relinquishing control and tasking his star attacking trio to go and win. in the match.
All will be planned in an hour. City created most of the scoring opportunities, but their pressure was not constant and had periods PSG was able to exit the match without much resistance from Guardiola’s side.
However, when Man City responded with Sterling in injury time, PSG did not really lose their cool. That was the extent that Pochettino could demand from his defensive unit given the instructions he had given them before the game, but they were frustrated by Neymar’s rudeness in the 17th minute. that minute.
Perhaps he could be forgiven if this was just a one-night absence, but it marks the fourth Champions League game this term where Neymar has not provided an assist or a goal. In a group that includes Club Brugge and one side RB Leipzig are struggling on form, which makes for a dismal reading.
His domestic form is also barely providing encouragement. Three goals and multiple assists in nine starting games have done nothing for a PSG-dominated side. Many will emphasize the fact that the Parisians flattered to deceive in Ligue 1 this term, but Neymar’s contributions – or lack thereof – are part of that.
When compared with Kylian Mbappe’s numbers, you would be forgiven for believing that Neymar is a minor member of the team. The Frenchman has scored 12 assists this season, with eight goals in all competitions. He averaged about 59 minutes on the field.
You could say there’s only one football on the pitch, which makes it virtually impossible for each of the three PSG forwards to have phenomenal numbers. But it was Mbappe’s assertiveness that marked him out. This is also the player who is expected to leave PSG when there is only one week left in the last summer transfer window.
Of course, there may be extenuating circumstances. Neymar has missed the opening three games of the season through injury, and his performance showed a player carrying a load of baggage both mentally and physically.
But for now, it’s hard to defend Neymar’s contributions. In fact, it is difficult to justify his place in the team.
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