After Paris Saint-Germain’s 4-0 win over Angers SCO on Saturday, head coach Thomas Tuchel spoke to reporters and according to L’Equipe, praised the team for how well they played right before the beginning of an international break and offered a status update on the relationship between Neymar Jr. and the PSG supporters.
“Everyone is happy and we know that we have worked a lot this week,” Tuchel said. “We played as a team.”
It’s always great to hear the manager praise the team but it was his brief comments about Neymar and the supporters that caught our attention.
Against Angers, Neymar netted his fourth goal in five games since the end of the transfer window and had a solid game overall. From what I could hear from the broadcast, it sounded like his goal in the 90th minute was celebrated by a large majority of the Parc faithful—although there will always be those fans who will never forgive him for trying to force a move back to FC Barcelona, which is detailed by ESPN.
That is likely why, according to France 24, Neymar compared his relationship with supporters to that of someone you’re in a relationship with. “It’s like with your girlfriend, one moment you’re bad, but with hugs and a lot of love, it’s better,” Neymar said.
After game-winning goals and giving his all for the club like he said he would to Le Parisien after the win against Girondins de Bordeaux, the frosty relationship between Neymar and the supporters may be starting to warm up.
When asked about Neymar’s relationship with fans, Tuchel had this to say according to L’Equipe:
“It’s better, easier. It is up to him to show again and again that he is decisive, that he suffers, that he works. It is useless to talk.”
It’s hard to argue with that assessment from the manager. I have previously voiced my displeasure with Neymar during the summer transfer window on several of our podcasts and some PSG Talk contributors still haven’t forgiven him. For me, it’s very much like the manager said. Play hard, be decisive, show that you care, and work hard, and I will be your biggest supporter no matter what happens next summer.
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