Tuchel Will 'force' Neymar To Play Against Leipzig Even Though He Is Not 100 Percent Fit

JAKARTA - The manager of Paris Saint-Germain, Thomas Tuchel, admitted that the condition of his star player Neymar was not 100 percent fit. However, he believes Neymar can play from the start in the fourth Group H Champions League match against RB Leipzig at the Parc des Princes, Tuesday local time (Wednesday WIB).

"He is a key player for us. Physically not 100 per cent, but he will play from the start tomorrow (tonight)," Tuchel said at a pre-match press conference quoted by Antara from the official UEFA website, Tuesday.

"He can handle the pressure in a match like this, physically and mentally," he added.

Neymar was previously absent from the Brazilian national team in the CONMEBOL zone's 2022 World Cup qualifier a week ago due to a foot injury.

Then Neymar was only introduced as a substitute in the 60th minute when PSG defeated AS Monaco in the French League continued last weekend.

The decision to play Neymar from the start was inseparable from PSG's ambition to win against Leipzig, a match that Tuchel considered as the final to determine the fate of Le Parisien in the Champions League.

"We want to win, this is the final in this group. I want us to be more courageous to score goals than to be confused about defensive issues," he concluded.

PSG are currently in third place in Group H of the Champions League with a collection of only three points, after losing 1-2 against Leipzig in the previous match.