‘Without a player of Neymar’s calibre, it’s going to be heavy going’: Gianluigi Buffon admits PSG could struggle in Champions League clash with Manchester United without star striker
- Gianluigi Buffon fears PSG could struggle without star man Neymar on Tuesday
- An injury-hit PSG face Manchester United in the last 16 of the Champions League
- The French champions will be without Edinson Cavani and Neymar for the trip
- Neymar will also miss the second leg after being ruled out with a foot injury
Gianluigi Buffon believes Paris Saint-Germain could struggle without Neymar when they come up against a revitalised Manchester United side in Champions League on Tuesday night.
The 41-year-old is expected to start in goal for PSG when they play the first leg of the last-16 clash at Old Trafford but Neymar will be missing from the starting XI after being ruled out with a foot injury.
The Parisian club will also be without striker Edinson Cavani for game after the Uruguayan limped off in their 1-0 win over Bordeaux on Saturday.
Gianluigi Buffon fears PSG could struggle without Neymar against Manchester United
Neymar won’t face Manchester United on Tuesday after he picked up a foot injury last month
While PSG still have Kylian Mbappe up front for Tuesday’s clash, Buffon is concerned that it might not be enough firepower to deal with an in-form United side.
‘I think this is a problem for us,’ Buffon told CNN Sport. ‘I’m not sure if it’s a big problem or a little one. I hope it’s only a small problem and that we nevertheless as a team thrive without him.
‘This would give us great strength and confidence. But I must say that without a player of Neymar’s calibre, it’s going to be heavy going.
‘Particularly because in the last two or three months he’s been in excellent condition – both physically and mentally – and he would have been of enormous help.
Neymar has been ruled out for 10 weeks and will miss the return leg against United next month
PSG boss Thomas Tuchel will also be without Edinson Cavani (pictured) for trip to Old Trafford
‘Nevertheless, we have to do our best in order not to have any regrets and play the quarter-finals and semi-finals with Neymar back.
‘And this would be the best present we could give to him. I’m sure he would return the favour by playing in those two matches.’
PSG could also be without Marco Verratti for the game after he picked up a new injury in training last week.
