FOR ‘FIRST BIG TEST’
Paris, Aug. 24: Paris SaintGermain and Brazilian superstar Neymar face their “first big test” of the season on Friday at home to Saint-Etienne as both sides hunt a fourth straight win.
Neymar dazzled in his Parc des Princes debut last weekend, scoring twice as he tormented Toulouse defenders throughout a crushing 6-2 victory, but Saint-Etienne are the only team yet to concede this season.
Former Barcelona midfielder Oscar Garcia is enjoying an extended honeymoon period having replaced the long-serving Christophe Galtier as Saint-Etienne coach in June, with his side collecting maximum points to sit level at the top with PSG and champions Monaco.
“It’s a first big test for us against Saint-Etienne,” said PSG coach Unai Emery. “They have already put in some good performances and picked up nine points.”
Saint-Etienne snatched a last-gasp draw on their most recent trip to Paris and captain Loic Perrin says they have nothing to fear this weekend.
“We’ve been lucky to start the season well. We’re going to Paris with not much to lose. When you see their squad it’s another world,” said Perrin, adding there was no particular plan to subdue Neymar.
“Neymar is an exceptional player who is one of the top three in the world and it’s exciting to measure yourself against such a player.”
PSG are still without injured Brazilian winger Lucas while Marco Verratti is suspended following his dismissal against Toulouse.
Unsettled Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe drew the ire of a section of the club’s hardcore supporters on Tuesday as speculation intensifies over the teen sensation’s future.
The 18-year-old, a reported target for PSG and Real Madrid, was left out of the squad for last Friday’s 1-0 win at Metz, a week after he stayed on the bench as an unused susbtitute against Dijon.
Radamel Falcao has shone in Mbappe’s absence, however, scoring five times in three matches ahead of Sunday’s visit of Marseille.
Lyon, also two points off the leading trio, will look to atone for letting slip a two-goal advantage in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Bordeaux when they travel to Claudio Ranieri’s Nantes on Saturday.