JAKARTA - Thomas Tuchel has felt the impact of the lack of competitive matches that Neymar has played this season in the defeat of Paris Saint-Germain to Borussia Dortmund. Erling Haaland's brace inspired Dortmund in a 2-1 home win in the first leg of the Champions League last 16, Tuesday, February 18.
Neymar's name was on the scoreboard when he made a comeback after suffering a rib injury and missing four matches. But that hasn't been of any help for PSG. Tuchel felt that PSG's busy schedule and injuries to their star players were the culprit for his team's defeat at Signal Iduna Park.
"We played twice as many games as Dortmund in the last few weeks. We have injury concerns with the key players, they have no rhythm, how tough the competition is, as we saw with Neymar," he said, via L'Equipe.
"Ball possession was not stable enough. There was a physical side to this game, on the other hand, we made too many mistakes in unnecessary positions.
"We are lacking in terms of time (rest). We lost a little bit of confidence, and performances. I think it will be a more open match. Ney has no rhythm, no competition."
Meanwhile Neymar said after the match he was not happy with how PSG handled his injury.
"It's difficult after not playing in four games. It was not my choice not to play, the club took this decision," said Neymar amid ongoing news about his return to Barcelona.
Final from Germany in the @ChampionsLeague first leg vs. Borussia Dortmund #BVBPSG pic.twitter.com/ygvlNVmQUD
- Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 18, 2020
"The club made this decision with the medical team. I want to play, I feel good. The club is afraid, and I'm the one who is suffering because of it," continued the Brazilian star.
Neymar has scored 13 goals in 14 Ligue 1 appearances for leaders PSG this season. The 28-year-old forward has scored 16 goals in all competitions. In the match against Dortmund, Neymar scored a goal in the 75th minute.
PSG will host the second leg on March 11.
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