Neymar set for home bow as PSG take on Toulouse
paris — After dazzling on his first appearance in a Paris Saint-Germain shirt, Neymar is in line to make his home debut for his new club against Toulouse on Sunday.
The world’s most expensive player scored one goal and set up another in a starring performance as PSG beat Guingamp 3-0 away in Brittany last weekend to maintain their perfect start to the new French season.
The 222 million-euro ($261 million) signing from Barcelona has already taken to the pitch at PSG’s Parc des Princes for an unveiling before their 2-0 win over Amiens there on the opening day of the campaign. But he was not registered in time to play in that match so PSG’s home support are eager to watch the 25-year-old run out against Toulouse. In contrast, the opposition coach is rather more apprehensive.
“We are going to Paris to defend first of all, that is for sure. We will park the bus,” said Pascal Dupraz, whose team did beat PSG at home and drew away last season en route to a mid-table finish.
“I believe in the possibility of getting a result in Paris. That is the beauty of football too. If I didn’t believe then I’d be as well to do something else.” Dupraz, who has this week brought in Ivory Coast winger Max-Alain Gradel on loan from Bournemouth, added: “We will need luck and to have God on our side because clearly this PSG side is incredible.
“But be careful not to call this game Toulouse against Neymar! Paris will win the league, I think, and will once again go far in Europe.”
PSG have been busy trying to reduce their wage bill following the Neymar signing, and have loaned unwanted Spanish forward Jese to Stoke City while agreeing to sell France midfielder Blaise Matuidi to Juventus for 20 million euros. —