We left him with neon pink hair, the evening of a success at the Parc des Princes against Montpellier (5-0), in early February, after a match where he had shown himself brilliant. We did not know then that his injury contracted just before the break - a chondro-costal injury - was going to deprive Neymar of the next four meetings (Nantes, Lyon, Dijon and Amiens).
This Tuesday evening, in Dortmund, the Brazilian star appeared very pale for his return to competition. Fortunately for him, he scored the Parisian goal, his second this season in competition. But he clearly lacked leadership and drive.
"I have no doubts about his ability to keep up with the pace," said Arsène Wenger before the match. Before being injured, he was in the form of his life. He was very strong. So there are no questions to be asked. At the end of the first period, however, it was clear that Neymar had brought nothing to his team.
Only a coiled free kick, but right next to it (10th), will have created a hint of offensive thrill from the side of Parisian supporters.
The rest of the time, the Brazilian will often spend his nose in the lawn, manhandled by the rough German. Cane in particular did not spare him by several limiting loads like that on his left thigh which would undoubtedly have deserved a yellow card (27th).
Fouls and wrong choices
In lack of space, Neymar looked in vain for the right solution. And he locked himself in the wrong choices. Unnecessary dribbling. And faults, in turn, which earned him a warning (59th).
It was only when he finally started playing simple, first intention, that the Brazilian was most effective and most dangerous. His perfect service in depth for Mbappé whose powerful strike rebounded on Bürki (66th) was one of the best Parisian actions. He took the ball but unscrewed his volley. Haaland opened the scoring in stride. It was then that Mbappé appeared in the area to overflow and send him a center that he only had to take from the left, alone in front of the goal (1-1, 75th).
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In an end of the match, at last boosted, marked by Haaland's second sumptuous goal (77th), Neymar had the opportunity to equalize. On the lookout in the area, he carried out a sequence of control of the right-strike of the left which failed on the outside of the post (81st).
Neymar was finally looking for simplicity, but too late. His final corner landed on Thiago Silva whose head brushed against the bar (90 + 2). Like the others, Neymar will owe revenge to his supporters in the second leg.