Neymar in doubt for Reds clash
> PSG striker substituted after tweaking groin in international friendly against Cameroon
NEYMAR could be an injury doubt for Paris Saint-a Champions League clash with Liverpool next week after limping off during Brazil’s 1-0 friendly win over Cameroon yesterday.
The forward suffered an apparent groin problem and was replaced in the eighth minute, to boos from the crowd in the central English town of Milton Keynes.
Everton’s Richarlison, Neymar’s replacement, headed in on the stroke of halftime for his third Brazil goal on his sixth appearance to secure victory for the Selecao.
A mixture of cheers and jeers welcomed Neymar, his World Cup theatrics in Russia providing ammunition for his detractors.
And there was little sympathy when the star attraction went off after making little impact.
He sought treatment after five minutes and returned to send a curling right-footed shot high and wide within a minute. He immediately collapsed before being replaced.
But Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar played down fears of a serious problem.
“He felt discomfort. He will need a bit more time to evaluate it and take a scan, but in principle it is not a serious injury,” Lasmar told reporters.
“Thanks to everyone who sent me (An. Silva 34) (Milik 66-pen). P W D L F A Pts (Lindelof 41, P W D L F A Pts (Forrest 34, (Kayal 9, Zahavi 75). P W D L F A Pts (Tucudean 44), (Zulpa 51og, Mitrovic 58, Prijovic 71, Llajic 74) (Petravicius 64). P W D L F A Pts messages wishing me a quick recovery, I don’t think it’s anything serious,” Neymar wrote on Instagram.
Meanwhile, the Brazil manager, Tite, lauded the impact of Richarlison after the Everton forward’s winner yesterday.
“I was not surprised by Richarlison’s performance,” Tite said.
“What I saw today was the continuation of him always coming on and playing well for Brazil.
“In his first game he really impressed with his incision and his finishing, both his head and on the floor.
“I’ve also seen him play on the wing for Brazil and play really well and because of his qualities in training we can also imagine him playing as a second striker as well. “He’s someone who’s really
impressed me since coming into the team.”
Richarlison appeared dangerous from the moment he was introduced and Roberto Firmino went close three times.
The Liverpool striker almost turned in Willian’s cross but Andre Onana made a fine instinctive save.
Firmino next sent a free header wide from Richarlison’s cross and was then denied by the goalkeeper from point-blank range.
Richarlison scored from the resulting corner, powerfully heading in Willian’s setpiece.
Cameroon might have levelled after 52 minutes, but Stephane Bahoken could not get a touch on Karl Toko Ekambi’s cross.
Fabrice Ondoa almost gifted Brazil a second when Ederson cleared downfield and the Cameroon substitute goalkeeper came 30m out of goal and collided with Yaya Banana.
Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus, on for Firmino, was through, but could only hit the post from a tight angle.
Jesus’s City teammate Danilo shot just wide soon afterwards and Barcelona midfielder Arthur next struck the top of the crossbar from 25m.a
Napoli’s Allan fired straight at Ondoa with four minutes to go and then the latter made a double save, first denying Jesus and then Richarlison.
Jacques Zoua hit the woodwork with a header in the final moments as Cameroon missed out on an equaliser.
PSG host Liverpool at the Parc des Princes on Nov 28, with all four sides in Group C still in with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages. – AFP