Paris Saint-Germain manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Neymar has suffered a fresh groin problem which should sideline him for the midweek league game against Strasbourg. The Brazil international managed to find the scoresheet during the weekend clash versus Bordeaux on the road but he was substituted earlier in the second period after picking up the injury.
Speaking after the game, Tuchel highlighted that he does not know the extent of the injury but he remains optimistic that the Brazilian can return to action by next weekend, he told L’Equipe: “I do not know at all [what he has], I think [it’s the same injury as before Liverpool]. We must be careful. He said that it was not a problem to play but the ground was hard. We made the decision with everyone, Neymar, the physio, that he did not take any risk to play. He felt good but by the time he felt something he came out on time. We will leave him alone against Strasbourg and he will be ready, I hope, against Montpellier.”
Neymar initially picked up a groin problem on international duty with Brazil and this witnessed him miss the league encounter against Toulouse. However, he managed to recover in time for the 2-1 Champions League triumph over Liverpool but it appears that the quick return to first-team action may have produced the recurrence of the same problem.
Nonetheless, Les Parisiens don’t have any concerns with respect to their league proceedings for the moment with a 14-point gap over Montpellier while they should also book their spot into the round of 16 of the Champions League, barring a surprise defeat at the hands of Red Star Belgrade. Les Parisiens picked up a comfortable 6-1 triumph over Belgrade earlier in the season where Neymar scored a hat-trick but the forthcoming game should be much tighter with the latter having the home advantage.