DORTMUND, Germany, Feb 19, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Neymar has criticised Paris
Saint-Germain’s handling of his recent injury after scoring in the 2-1 defeat
at Borussia Dortmund, which leaves the French club facing the prospect of
another early Champions League exit.
After missing four games in the last fortnight with a rib injury, the
Brazilian superstar looked short of match fitness in Tuesday’s last-16,
first-leg, defeat at Dortmund.
Norwegian goal-machine Erling Braut Haaland scored twice to make him the
Champions League joint top-scorer, but Neymar gave PSG a lifeline for the
second leg in Paris on March 11.
He tapped home for what could prove a crucial away goal after being set up
by France striker Kylian Mbappe in the second half.
Neymar, the world’s most expensive player, was critical of the French
league champions for not letting him play more before Tuesday’s clash.
“It’s hard to go four games without playing,” said Neymar.
“Unfortunately it wasn’t my choice, it was the choice of the club, of the
doctors, they made that decision, which I didn’t like.
“We had a lot of discussions about it because I wanted to play, I felt
good, but the club was afraid and in the end it was me who suffered.”
Big-spending PSG are desperate to avoid exiting the Champions League at
the first knockout round for a fourth season in a row.
“It was a tough game, but we have to do what we can in the return game,”
Neymar, 28, told reporters.
“Playing now at home is the best thing in the world, we have 90 minutes to
do something.