PSG Champions League Hopes Rest on the Shoulders of Neymar According to French Football Journalist

When Paris Saint-Germain takes the pitch for their UEFA Champions League quarterfinals matchup against Atalanta BC, they will do so without Ángel Di María, who will be out due to suspension. Meanwhile, there’s a long list of vital players on the squad that is dealing with injuries. 

Kylian Mbappé is recovering from the ankle injury that he sustained in the Coupe de France. Marco Verratti is now having issues with his calf and will be evaluated in 72 hours to determine whether or not he will play next week. 

The capital club will be limping in with their injuries into Lisbon. However, despite all that, PSG has a healthy Neymar Jr. If Les Parisiens want to head into the semifinals, they will do so on the back of the 28-year-old. 

Furthermore, France Football journalist Dave Appadoo echoes that sentiment during an appearance with L’Équipe du Soir (via Canal Supporters), that if the Ligue 1 champions hope to advance past Atalanta, their hopes rest on the shoulders of Neymar. 

“I have the impression that the margin is shrinking more and more for PSG while Atalanta was an opponent within reach,” Appadoo said. “The good news came from Neymar’s rise to power and Verratti’s good form. And the patatras! And Verratti, we know how crucial he is, unique, in the game of PSG. He is pretty much the only source of creativity in a midfielder who has lost a lot in quality in recent years.”

“It was the strong point of PSG. Now the Parisian midfielder is harmless. This worries me more and more,” Appadoo said. “We don’t know if Mbappé will be there, and we know what he represents. Di Maria will be suspended. We have the impression that everything will rest on the shoulders of Neymar alone.”

Despite all that has happened, if one player can carry a squad for one game, it’s the Brazil international. 

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