PSG win again but tensions simmer between Neymar, Cavani
PARIS: Paris Saint- Germain kept their perfect start to the season going on Sunday, but the 2- 0 win over Lyon also laid bare certain tensions in their all- star front line.
PSG were leading 1- 0 at the Parc des Princes when they won a penalty with 10 minutes remaining for a foul on Kylian Mbappe, making his home debut.
Having already scored three t ime s f r om the spot this season, Edinson Cavani assumed the responsibility would once again be his.
Neymar tried to get the ball from the Uruguayan but it was Cavani who eventually took it. And his effort was brilliantly saved, Anthony Lopes tipping the ball onto the bar.
“The penalties are taken by a couple of players, one is Cavani and the other is Neymar. There needs to be a gentleman’s agreement on the pitch to decide who t a kes t he penalties,” coach Unai Emer y admitted later. “We will sort things out internally for the next t ime, be c au s e I think they are both capable of taking them, and I want the two of them to mix up who takes them.”
Those comments, and the fact Cavani was unsuccessful from the spot, suggests Neymar will get his chance in future.
Cavani himself tried to play down any rift telling Uruguayan radio this kind of thing happened all the time in football.
“I don’t know why people believe these stories. The truth is this kind of thing is normal, something that happens in football,” Cavani told Uruguay’s Radio Universal.
“The truth is there’s no problem at all.”
“He ( Neymar) just arrived, he wil l surely emerge more and more. As I’ve said from the very beginning, we all have the positivity and willingness to help him adapt in the best way possible. I think he has shown he’s adapting quickly,” said Cavani.
The Brazilian had previously tried and failed to grab the ball from Cavani when a penalty was awarded in the 3- 0 win over SaintEtienne last month. Cavani scored that time.
Earlier in Sunday’s game, the duo disagreed over who should take a free-kick with the match still goalless. Dani Alves intervened to give his compatriot the ball on that occasion, and Neymar’s strike was saved.
“They are two great players. They want to score goals. There are no problems between them, everything is fine,” insisted PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe.
Most coaches would envy the embarrassment of riches at Emery’s disposal.
The ‘MCN’ front line of Mbappe, Cavani and Neymar has cost the capital club 466 million euros ($ 557 million, £ 411 million) but now the coach has to somehow keep them all happy. — AFP