Lionel Messi provided all three assists in the 3-1 win, with Marquinhos and Di Maria scoring the goals.
Paris Saint-Germain are riding on a crest in the French Ligue 1, but with the array of stars they parade, it should be the barest minimum. Their challenge for the UEFA Champions League has, however, been a bit limp. It has been that way, despite the addition of Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos.
A 2-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City in the Champions League confined PSG to second on the group A log. They are likely to meet a European heavyweight in the second round.
While Mauricio Pochettino is mulling how to make his expensively arrayed front line work in symphony, the team has received bad news. Over the weekend, PSG secured a win over Saint-Etienne but lost a vital player to their title challenge in Neymar.
Pochettino hopes on a miracle for Neymar
PSG picked up the maximum points on offer in a 3-1 defeat of hosts Saint-Etienne. The game was not without a casualty, and this time it was the Brazilian playmaker Neymar.
The striker sustained what looked like a severe injury in the victory. Shortly after Angel Di Maria had put PSG 2-1 up on Sunday afternoon, Neymar suffered an ankle injury.
The incident has given Pochettino a few grey hairs, and he hopes that the injury is not as bad as it looks, but the images shown did not look encouraging. The Ligue 1 leaders look like they’ll be without Neymar for a long time.
After the game, Neymar left the ground on crutches. Pochettino remains hopeful of a quick comeback for the Brazilian but explained that a complete diagnosis on Monday would determine the severity of the injury and how long Neymar would be on the sidelines.
According to Pochettino, there is nothing to say. The exams will take place on Monday, and then the extent of the injury will be seen. He said Neymar felt pain in his left leg as his ankle turned.
Ramos makes PSG debut as they pick three points
PSG stretched their lead at the top of the table with a 3-1 win over Saint-Etienne. The Parisians had to come from behind to secure victory and equalled their record of five comeback wins in a complete season after conceding the first goal. PSG achieved this feat four times in the past (2014-15, 2011-12, 2003-04, 1985-86).
Denis Bouanga stole the lead for the home side before Marquinhos, and Di Maria scored to give the Parisians all three points.
The injury to Neymar should be too much of a worry to PSG as they still boast a star-studded squad that can easily win titles. Angel Di Maria should fill in for the Brazilian.
Neymar took to Instagram after the match to post an update.
The Brazilian on his Instagram accounts said, “Let’s recover; these kinds of setbacks are part of an athlete’s life.” He promised his fans to come back better and stronger.
By :
Steven D. Thompson
