Speaking following Paris Saint-Germain’s 2-1 win against Lorient away from home yesterday, Neymar evoked the way in which he deals with the physicality of Ligue 1 defenders to Brazilian station TV Globo, transcribed by L’Équipe:
“I didn’t know how physical and intense it was here. The only way to escape mistakes is to be attentive, concentrated, so as not to suffer injuries that I have experienced in the past because of violent clashes. The more people try to bring me down, the more I want to dribble. It’s the only way I can protect myself and attack the opponent. I don’t know how to get inside and I don’t really know how to defend in the same physical manner, so I use the dribble”
Neymar performed well in the win over Lorient on Sunday, being awarded a rating of 8 in Get French Football News’s Player Ratings of the match. The Brazilian was involved in creating the majority of PSG’s chances and even scoring himself in the ninth minute, finishing off a one-on-one opportunity against Swiss keeper Yvon Mvogo (who injured himself in the process of trying to save it).
Neymar has also been called up to Brazil’s national team for the 2022 World Cup, after having performed with focus and desire for Paris Saint-Germain so far this season with 13 goals and 11 assists in 13 appearances in Ligue 1, and five appearances so far in the Champions League.
GFFN | George Boxall
