Manchester City-PSG (2-0): Neymar, a genius without an idea

It is also and above all to this that an elimination in the semi-finals of the Champions League is measured. Determining in the two matches against Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, Neymar was largely absent from this return match at the Etihad Stadium (2-0). Already in decline during the second half, last Wednesday at the Parc des Princes, the Brazilian with shaved temples showed crippling gaps at this level. The contrast was striking when at the same time, the stars of the Citizens - Foden, De Bruyne and Mahrez in the sky - shone with a thousand lights. In the absence of Mbappé affected in the right calf, the hopes of PSG rested largely on the shoulders of the Brazilian.

We have to believe that it was too big a burden for the Parisian number 10.

With no shot on target at the end of the 90 minutes, the 29-year-old former Barcelona player has never weighed on the debates.

With the exception of a good shift for Di Maria on the best Parisian action - the head of Marquinhos on the crossbar (17th) - the one who was "ready to die on the ground" especially sought to exist.

In vain.

It could be argued that this lawn dotted with hailstones was not really conducive to arabesques.

But without his alter ego, the "Ney" often positioned in his preferred left lane has never succeeded in combining, or so little, with his partners and has too often gone astray in unnecessary dribbling.

For someone who is often referred to as a genius, it became embarrassing.

Paris hopes even better from Neymar

Four years after his arrival at PSG against 222 million euros, this logically raises the question of his performance in this major competition. His right foot injury during the first two seasons deprived him of the finals - except the round of 16 first leg against Real Madrid (1-3) in February 2019. But with him, Paris reached the final of the competition l last year (0-1 defeat against Bayern Munich), and therefore the semi-final this season. Undoubtedly, under the leadership of its Brazilian star, PSG has passed a milestone and has been for two seasons in the four best teams on the continent.

That's good, but given the amount invested and the 3 million euros paid monthly, we can easily imagine that the Qatari owners were hoping for even better. It is part postponed in 2021-2022, and yet there is no guarantee in this direction. The next few weeks will tell if the crack Santos will finally sign his contract extension with Paris Saint-Germain. If history is not written in this direction, the club of the capital will have to seriously consider transferring it this summer. But that was not the trend in recent weeks.