PARIS, Sept 28, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel
says he has done nothing special to improve the relationship between star
forwards Neymar and Edinson Cavani, despite the pair playing a key role in
helping the French champions enjoy their best ever start to a season.
Cavani scored twice and won a penalty that was converted by Neymar as PSG
came from behind to beat Reims 4-1 on Wednesday, making it seven wins from
seven games this season.
Neymar’s first season in Paris following his world record transfer from
Barcelona was brought to a premature end by a foot injury. But before that
there were concerns the Brazilian had a frosty relationship with Cavani, with
the duo notably bickering over penalty-taking duties.
There were no such problems on Wednesday, as the pair led PSG to another
victory in the absence of the suspended Kylian Mbappe.
“I haven’t done anything special. It is important that they exchange with
one another,” said Tuchel, whose team are already eight points clear at the
top of Ligue 1.
“They play in the same team don’t they? I haven’t done anything. They are
grown ups and, above all, they are pros.
“I also get the feeling that along with Kylian Mbappe and Angel (Di Maria)
they are a quartet who want to win trophies and improve together.”
PSG go to Nice on Saturday looking for an eighth win out of eight in the
league — if they do that they will match the best ever start to a season by
any French club, set by Olympique Lillois in 1936.
– Mbappe back –
The good news for Tuchel is that Mbappe can return having completed his
three-match ban, and the France star will surely feature ahead of next
Wednesday’s Champions League meeting with Red Star Belgrade.
PSG need a positive result in Europe after losing away to Liverpool in
their opening group outing, but first they face Patrick Vieira’s Nice, who
have won three of their last four matches, and can welcome back Mario
Balotelli after he missed the midweek victory at Nantes.
“I know what I can get out of Mario at the moment and I am going to use
him. He can maybe last an hour, or 80 minutes. The important thing is that he
is ready to help the team,” said Vieira.
Lyon, Marseille and Lille are all eight points off top spot, and Lyon
entertain a Nantes side whose Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso is reported to
be on the verge of the sack after a poor start to the season.
Meanwhile, Marseille go to Lille after beating Strasbourg 3-2 in midweek
thanks to Valere Germain’s stoppage-time goal.
Monaco visit Saint-Etienne on Friday looking for a first win since the
opening weekend of the season.
Player to watch: Nicolas Pepe
Lille must be delighted that the 23-year-old Ivory Coast international
forward turned down the chance to move away from the club in the summer
transfer window. The financially troubled northern side may have needed the
money, but keeping Pepe gives them a much better chance of remaining up
towards the top of the table.
He was unable to prevent Christophe Galtier’s side from losing at Bordeaux
in midweek, but he has four goals this season and will be hoping to fire
Lille to a fourth win from four home games when they host Marseille.
Fixtures
Friday
Saint-Etienne v Monaco (1845GMT)
Saturday
Nice v Paris Saint-Germain (1515GMT), Angers v Guingamp, Caen v Amiens,
Lyon v Nantes, Reims v Bordeaux, Strasbourg v Dijon (all 1800GMT)
Sunday
Rennes v Toulouse (1300GMT), Montpellier v Nimes (1500GMT), Lille v
Marseille (1900GMT)