Ligue 1 week 5, PSG – Strasbourg
The Brazilian Neymar was making his expected return with PSG today against Strasbourg after a long and aborted transfer saga with FC Barcelona.
Booed by the majority of the fans every time he would touch the ball, Neymar was very discreet all game-long up to the second minute in extra-time. The most expensive player in the history of the game stunned the sold out crowd with a wonderful off balance bicycle kick, a goal of extreme difficulty for a player of a different class. The reconciliation with his supporters at Paris Saint-Germain might take some time but goals like this one would certainly help in Neymar’s favor.
PSG made several notable moves this summer and have a very strong squad this year only a few days before meeting with Real Madrid. They added Icardi from Inter Milan and swap goalies with Real Madrid to get Navas as the #1 defending the net. Man United midfielder Herrera and Gueye from Everton enable the team to be very competitive this season yet again.
Coach Tuchel comments on the long awaited victory:
“It’s very good to win straight away with this new shirt. We are going to play with it again on Wednesday, so there are no excuses (laughs)! We knew that this was going to be a very difficult match, after the international break and before the match against Real Madrid.
The team tried hard and played well in the second half. We got better as the match went on, even though we finished with ten men [following the injury to Colin Dagba]. It was a great result in the end. There were plenty of positives: we kept a clean sheet and we showed we can win when things are tough. The winner arrived late, but it was a pretty good goal, no?
Goalkeeper Navas on his first game and clean sheet with PSG:
“I feel really good and very happy after this victory. It was a very difficult match, but my teammates all played very well and Neymar scored the winner. It’s important to be able to help the team. I always give my absolute maximum.
They defended very well and we really had to push hard the whole game and we managed to score in the final minutes. Neymar is an important player for the team and we are happy to have him with us.”
