Neymar explained concerns about injuring himself in the 7-0 friendly rout of Waasland-Beveren as the Ligue-1 title holders stepped up their preparations for the Champions League quarter-finals.
Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Mauro Icardi were all on target in PSG’s demolition of Belgian outfit Waasland-Beveren at Parc des Princes.
After Ligue 1 premature end in April amid coronavirus, PSG has returned to the field in a bid to prepare for the knockout tie against Atalanta.
The titleholders continued their flawless preparation at home to Waasland-Beveren in Paris where Aleksandar Vukotic’s own goal placed the hosts ahead in the 21st minute before Neymar converted a penalty seven minutes late.
Icardi and Neymar combined for an audacious penalty attempt in the 47th minute while Mbappe, Eric Maxim Choupo’s brace, and Loic Mbe Soh’s last-gasp effort completed the scoring in the second half.
Reflecting on the result, Neymar was asked about the aggressive nature of Waasland Beveren. The Brazilian responded, “Yes, we were a little scared. We are here for a friendly match so those types of things should not have been happening.”
“We are here to prepare ourselves but also to be careful. But for us too, we gave them a little bit back. So there are no problems”.
“I was very happy to come back and play at home, with some fans as well. We are preparing little by little to get to the maximum then we will be in the Champions League. The rest is not very important.”
Meanwhile, PSG coach, Thomas Tuchel confirmed veteran defender Thiago Silva will remain captain until the end of his contract and the Champions League next season.
Silva, who renewed his contract to feature in the postponed Champions League is set to leave PSG after eight-years. However, the 35-year-old will keep the captain’s armband before departing.
Tuchel said, “Thiago Silva remains the captain until the last day when he is on the ground. He’s my captain”.