Neymar is ‘calmer’ after red card in Bordeaux clash, says boss Thomas Tuchel as PSG look to turn Borussia Dortmund tie around with star man at the helm
- Neymar was sent off for PSG in the club’s 4-3 win over Bordeaux last week
- PSG boss Thomas Tuchel insists that the Brazilian winger is calm player
- The French champions take on Lyon in the French Cup on Wednesday night
- PSG also face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last-16 next week
Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel is adamant that star man Neymar is a calm character despite his latest disciplinary spat.
The Brazilian was shown a red card in the dying stages of the French champions’ 4-3 win over Bordeaux last week for two yellow card offences.
Neymar’s red card comes just in time for a crucial period for PSG, which includes a French Cup semi-final tie against Lyon on Wednesday and a Champions League last-16 clash against Borussia Dortmund next week.
Neymar was sent off for Paris Saint-Germain in the club’s 4-3 win over Bordeaux in Ligue 1
PSG boss Thomas Tuchel insists that the Brazilian still has a calm temperament
Ahead of the Lyon clash, which Neymar is still eligible’He is calmer now,’ Tuchel told reports on Tuesday. ‘In Bordeaux he had a good match, unfortunately with a red card. It was not good, but it was like that.
‘I have a feeling that he is calmer. He’s going to play [in the Lyon game], it’s necessary.
‘The most important thing is that he plays, that he is with us in this decisive phase. I am happy to play with him in Lyon.
‘I have the feeling that he is really ready, that he is calmer, more confident, and that he has found his rhythm.’
Neymar. shocked at being sent off, is a key player for the French champions
PSG’s season will be defined on how well they compete in the Champions League, but will have to overturn a 2-1 deficit at home to Dortmund next week in order to advance to the quarter-finals.
While Neymar grabbed a crucial away goal at the Signal Iduna Park last month oto significantly boost their chances of qualifying, Tuchel revealed that he did not feel Neymar was physically ready for the challenge of Dortmund.
Neymar scored in the Champions League last-16 first leg at Dortmund, which PSG lost 2-1
‘We have made twice as many matches as Dortmund in recent weeks. We have had injury concerns with key players, they lack the rhythm, the hardness of the competition, as we saw with Neymar’.
‘Ney lacked rhythm, competition. Our possession of the ball was not stable enough for this not to be a physical match. There was this physical side to this match, in addition, we made too many mistakes in unnecessary positions.
‘We were lacking in timing. We lost a little confidence, and form. I thought it would be a more open game.’