Uefa Champions League NewsThomas Tuchel: Neymar’s absence helped PSG beat Real Madrid
Thomas tuchel

PSG manager, Thomas Tuchel suggested the absence of the superstars helped them beat real Madrid 3-0 in their Champions League opener. These are Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani.

Thomas tuchel

Neymar who heavily linked with a summer move to Lose Blancos was ruled out through suspension. Which means, he watched from the stands along with the injured Kylian Mbappe.

Edinson Cavani did not feature in this match due to a knock. Regardless of all this, the French side got their European campaign off to a dream start.

Tuchel felt their absence lowered expectations and helped his side perform better with the pressure offload.

During the post-match press conference, he said, “Maybe the absence of Cavani, Neymar and Mbappe helped the team.”

“The pressure was less because everybody was wondering how we could win without the three players.”

“It can help because we weren’t favorites without Neymar, Mbappe and Cavani. It could have taken some of the pressure off the players.”

New signing, Mauro Icardi led the line while Angel di Maria came back to haunt his former club with two goals.

Neymar’s story

Tuchel admitted Neymar tried to leave the club this summer. The Brazilian scored a sensational last-minute win on his return in Ligue 1 at the weekend despite being booed by his fans throughout the game for his summer conduct.

Neymar missed the game with Real Madrid due to his Champions League suspension for an outburst at officials after their Manchester United defeat last season. Luckily, his ban has been reduced to two games upon appeal.

The German boss told DAZN, “you could feel that, and I can understand if the fans are angry, even permanently.”

“Nevertheless, there is also a side between me as a coach and him as a player. There was never a break or a discrepancy. That’s why it was very easy for me to let him play. He was trained professionally.

He proceeded, ‘I feel the decision was a relief to him even though it was against his wishes.”

“Then, one is automatically focused on the task. As an athlete, there is not much you can think about. You have to give your all. He is an hungry and a competitive guy who always wants to win.”

“He has to withstand it now. That is the reality. He has to go through it, and we all have to go through it in the home games. The best thing is to come to terms with it.”