The Citizen (Gauteng)

Neymar, Cavani put issues aside to drive PSG to top

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– 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.

Neymar’s first season in Paris following his world record move 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 (right).

Paris

“I haven’t done anything. 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.”

PSG go to Nice today 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.

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 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. –

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