PSG’s dressing room unrest Cavani-Neymar fall out overshadows Montpellier trip
Power struggle: Cavani feels like he has earned to lead the line at PSG but Neymar knows he will get a lot of leeway following his €222 million move from Barcelona. PHOTO: AFP
PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery refused to name his first-choice penalty taker on Thursday, after Neymar and Edinson Cavani’s apparent falling out against Lyon last week.
The Ligue 1 leaders travel to Montpellier on Saturday looking to make it seven straights wins to kick off the season, after smashing spending records in the close season to compile the fearsome ‘MCN’ front line of Neymar, Cavani and Kylian Mbappe.
But the South American pair disagreed over who should take a penalty in the 2-0 win over Lyon, before Cavani saw his effort saved by Anthony Lopes, with Neymar appearing to walk away shaking his head in disgust.
“The two players who will be taking the penalties are Cavani and Neymar,” Emery told a press conference on Thursday. “[That is] because they’re capable of assuming this responsibility, but other players can take them. During training we practice penalties because when the decisive moment arrives and we can win a title with penalties, we will need more than two.”
Emery did, however, hint that Neymar’s arrival means Cavani is no longer the only one who can take penalties at the club. “Last year, the penalty taker was Cavani, this year with the arrival of Neymar there are two,” he said. “Who is number one and who is number two, I will make that decision.”
Despite the furore over the penalty drama, PSG have been in irresistible form and lead reigning champions Monaco by three points at the top of the early table.
However, Spaniard Emery may opt to make some changes for the trip to Montpellier with Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Bayern Munich in mind.
On Sunday, Marseille host Toulouse hoping to build on back-to-back wins over Amiens last weekend and against Konyaspor in the Europa League.
OM though have been charged by UEFA for crowd trouble during the 1-0 victory in their group-stage opener, after objects were thrown on the pitch and fireworks were let off in the stands.
Bordeaux, one of only two remaining unbeaten sides along with PSG, play a home match against Guingamp, while third-placed Saint-Etienne face Rennes.
Original news : https://tribune.com.pk/story/1513449/psgs-dressing-room-unrest-cavani-neymar-fall-overshadows-montpellier-trip/