Move along, nothing to see. This is more or less the message of Thomas Tuchel, asked about the express return trip from Neymar to Düsseldorf on Thursday, as part of a promotional operation. Which Neymar is unavailable since February 1 and an injury to the odds against Montpellier (5-0). If he sometimes had a hard tooth about the extra-sports activities of the Brazilian striker of 28 years, the German technician did not want to add fuel to the fire this time. And for good reason, everything was planned, stalled in consultation with the technical staff and the Parisian management. "I had known for six weeks, four weeks," says Tuchel, at a press conference. The club asked me if it was possible. We thought he would play in Dijon. It was not ultimately the case. But that doesn't change anything about this theft, which he did. It was organized with the club. It had been clear for six weeks. No problem."
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It remains to be seen whether, when it comes to a superstar like Neymar, the club, the staff, or whoever it is, can really say no. "Yes we can. But there are also things that are good for the club, the sponsors, explains the Bavarian coach. For that, we reflect together and we make a decision. There is always communication between the club and me. As a trainer, you always prefer everyone to be there in bed (smile). But it's not like that in football. But it's not a problem if we do that, that we organize it together. I know well in which weeks we have intensity, what day we can fly, what day it is more risky. Afterwards, it's a compromise. It is very good. I can decide with the club. "
Tuchel "convinced" that Neymar "will help" PSG in Dortmund
In any case, Neymar Jr, 28, was in training on Thursday. And he is back to work this Friday with the rest of his teammates, on the eve of the trip to Amiens as part of the 25th day of Ligue 1. More importantly, four days from the knockout stages of the Champions League in Dortmund. "He will train with us. He is still on the ground, says Tuchel. Why in training and not in matches? Because he is more protected in training. But the risk decreases every day. We will decide with all the doctors, the club, the staff and the player what we will do tomorrow. ” And if by chance, "Ney" could not play at Amiens, could he still be aligned at Dortmund? "Whether he plays or not tomorrow, he will go to Dortmund, but perhaps not in the best mood, not in the form he was in two weeks ago," he admits. But he will be there, I'm sure. And it will help us, I'm sure. ” After the doubts posted Wednesday, this is reassuring for this duel against the BVB. Not ideal, but reassuring.
And Tuchel to continue: "With this match at Amiens, we will try to allow him to play two consecutive matches, without risk, without injury, so that he can play until the end of the season. It's like that. And we would do the same thing if it was not Dortmund arriving. If it was against Strasbourg, it would be the same. It's just a matter of timing. It's like that. We can't change things. ”
"We have to discuss and think, but in the end we have to make a clear and simple decision"
Thomas tuchelPrecisely, things sometimes seem complicated between the technical staff and the medical staff. Especially about Neymar. After the match in Dijon, we could also guess a scratch sent by Thomas Tuchel to the doctors. Except it isn't. Nothing at all. "Complicated ? No, says the former Dortmund coach. If you ask me if I want him to play every game, clearly yes. But it's not like I'm pushing, like I want to decide on my own after having the doctor's advice. Clearly, I want him to play. But we decide together. There are many parameters. There is the opinion of the doctor, the coach, the player ... There are lots of things to keep in mind. It's not complicated, it's complex. We have to discuss and think, but in the end we have to make a clear and simple decision. We did it: no risk against Lyon, no risk in Dijon. We make the decision together. I fully agree with this decision. I'm in the process. I have my opinion, I discuss, I listen. Everyone gives their opinion, it's a mix, a complex situation. And then we decide. No problem after that. "
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