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Happy Neymar starring for PSG

Happy Neymar starring for PSG

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Publish on 09/23 at 11:30

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Neymar is set for another chance to bolster his remarkable Ligue 1 Conforama statistics when Reims visit the Parc des Princes on Wednesday evening.

 Paris Saint-Germain - Stade de Reims 

 

The Brazilian superstar has earned four points for his side over the last two league games by scoring wonderful late winners at home to Strasbourg and then away to Olympique Lyonnais. Hit by injury problems in his two-and-a-bit years in the French capital, Neymar has managed only 39 Ligue 1 Conforama appearances, yet has scored 36 goals and contributed 20 assists.

In the absence of Edinson Cavani, Kylian Mbappé and Mauro Icardi, Neymar's role at OL was enhanced and the 27-year-old responded to the pressure in style. Worryingly for the champions' Ligue 1 Conforama opponents, coach Thomas Tuchel insists the former Barcelona attacker has not yet hit peak form.

Tuchel: "Neymar can do better!"

Tuchel said: "Neymar can do better! That was only the second or third game in four months for him and he's not at 100%. He hasn't reached his limits. He can do better and will do better. Matches and decisive goals like the ones he's scored will help him. Ney is always decisive and his job is to score goals and do decisive things."

After Neymar's wish for a summer return to Barcelona didn't come true, the world's most expensive player looks thoroughly committed to PSG, as backed up by his incessant harrying of the OL back three at Groupaama Stadium on Sunday evening. Tuchel commented: "I can confirm he is 100% with the squad. He laughs with his team-mates, is reliable in training and is totally with his team-mates."

Herrera: "He could be the Ballon d'Or"

Midfielder Ander Herrera backed up Tuchel's words: "I'm delighted to be playing with him. I don't want to talk about the transfer window. Neymar is with us. He's a fantastic player and he could be the Ballon d'Or. I hope he can carry on playing like that all season."

Reims: Best defence along with PSG

Neymar and PSG will expect Reims to be stubborn opponents. The club from Champagne country drew 0-0 at home to Monaco on Saturday evening and have conceded only two goals in their first six league games of the season, giving them the joint-best defensive record in the division along with PSG. Mbappé could return from injury to give PSG greater firepower.

Benjamin Lecomte made some fine saves for Monaco against Reims on Saturday, something Reims coach David Guion regretted: "We should have scored one or two goals in our strong spells. I don't forget the fact we didn't concede. When you're capable of causing problems to a team with a Champions League squad like Monaco's then that's a good thing. I have nothing to criticise the players for and there were a lot of good things to take out of it."

Probable Teams:

PSG: (to follow)

Reims: (to follow)

 

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