Nothing is broken, but what about Neymar’s ligaments? And what was going on at the edge of the field. A victory that lets the PSG coach breathe a sigh of relief, but PSG can hardly be said to be calm.
Despite fears for the next superstar and new irritations with the sports director, Christophe Galtier was able to breathe a sigh of relief. “We stopped the spiral,” said the Paris Saint-Germain coach with relief. After three defeats in three different competitions, PSG’s 4-3 win over OSC Lille in the French Football Championship at the Prinzenpark gave him some breathing room, he admitted.
Another defeat after losing in the last 16 of the cup with a 2-1 loss to Olympique Marseille, 3-1 in the league against AS Monaco and a 1-0 loss in the Champions League round of 16 first leg against Bayern Munich in Paris the situation at PSG further aggravated.
But the superstars Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi were reliable, they saved PSG and Galtier at the end of an unconvincing performance on Sunday with late goals. “We’re not really happy with the game, we know we can and will do better,” said midfielder Vitinha.
Campos causes irritation
In view of the criticism in the French media, Galtier emphasized that he himself tries not to read a lot or watch a lot. “I stay in my bubble so as not to waste too much energy.” But he also assured that he had the permanent support of the club’s sporting directorate and the president. “This is very important.”
However, the appearance of sports director Luis Campos, with whom Neymar had recently quarreled, caused renewed irritation. The Portuguese rushed to the sidelines in the second half and gave instructions to the players “as if out of his mind” (“Marca”). He didn’t interfere, Galtier tried to calm the situation, Campos just wanted to win.
Nothing broken at Neymar
PSG officials should also be worried about Neymar’s injury. The 31-year-old Brazilian sprained his right ankle. Nothing is broken, according to the first corresponding investigations.
Others should now provide information within 48 hours as to whether the ligaments were affected and to what extent Neymar is fit again for the second leg against Bayern on March 8th, after guesswork and poker before the first leg about the fitness of the time ailing Mbappé. “Neymar still hopes for Bayern,” wrote the sports newspaper “L’Équipe”. (dpa)