Neymar in form but Di Maria key cog for Tuchel’s PSG
PARIS: Neymar may have grabbed the headlines with a hattrick as Paris St Germain thrashed Red Star Belgrade in their midweek Champions League match but Angel Di Maria is proving vital to the French giants’ strong start to the season.
The 6-1 hammering of Red Star at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday was already the second time this term that all of Di Maria, Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe have scored in a game.
That only happened twice in the entirety of last season, when the Argentine was often overlooked by former coach Unai Emery for the biggest matches.
The attacking trio dubbed “MCN” last year has become a four-pronged front line under new boss Thomas Tuchel, with Di Maria starting both of PSG’s Champions League games so far, having failed to even complete 90 minutes once in the competition in 2017-2018.
“It’s a gift to work with a player like Angel, he’s a great professional, who works hard in training, can play in multiple positions, at a top level and is totally reliable,” gushed Tuchel.
The 30-year-old Di Maria has scored six times in 11 appearances so far this season and is full of praise for German Tuchel.
“He made me understand that he was counting on me,” Di Maria told TF1.
“Tuchel brings something new, he’s a more aggressive coach who likes the team to play with high pressing.
“He came here to win the Champions League, it can be a great year for us.”
With their Group C campaign in Europe back on track after an opening 3-2 defeat at Liverpool, PSG host Lyon as they return to domestic matters tomorrow.
The club’s priorities clearly lie with the Champions League as they bid to reach the final for the first time despite the heavy Qatari investment but after eight straight wins, a sixth Ligue 1 title in seven years already looks a formality.
Lyon were expected to be their closest challengers this season but are 10 points off the pace, while last year’s runners-up Monaco are languishing in the relegation playoff place.
Bruno Genesio’s Lyon claimed a stunning 2-1 win over PSG in January but have lost on their last seven visits to the capital.
Monaco’s dreadful season took another turn for the worse in midweek as they slipped to a one-sided 3-0 Champions League loss at Borussia Dortmund.
Leonardo Jardim’s outfit are now a tame imitation of the one that claimed the French title in 2017, and have managed only six points from their first eight league games.
Defeat by fellow strugglers Rennes at the Stade Louis II tomorrow could see them fall into the bottom two, with the prospect of a season spent trying to get out of trouble looming.
Lille had to do just that last term to escape the drop but have started well this time around and host fourthplaced St Etienne today looking to strengthen their grip on second spot, eight points behind PSG.