PSG wins 7-goal spectacle but loses Neymar – Campos enters coaching zone

First Neymar injury diagnosis

Superstars Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi saved Paris Saint-Germain from yet another setback. With their late goals, World Cup top scorer Mbappé (87 minutes) and world champion Messi (90 + 5) ensured a spectacular, but by no means convincing 4: 3 (2: 1) of the French champions in the Ligue 1 home game against LOSC Lille.

The league leaders’ first win in a competitive game after three previous defeats was only of limited use as a mood lifter with a view to the round of 16 second leg in the Champions League on March 8th at FC Bayern. Not only the sometimes blatant defense problems, but also the injuries to Nuno Mendes and Neymar are a cause for concern.

The 31-year-old Brazilian, who scored to make it 2-0 (17th), twisted his right foot after a duel at the beginning of the second half. He had to be taken off the field on a stretcher and replaced. “Ney sprained his right ankle,” coach Christophe Galtier said after the game. However, more detailed examinations are to follow to determine the severity of the injury, the coach announced. Left-back Mendes had to go down after 31 minutes.

Updated at 6:50 p.m: An initial check revealed that Neymar has not sustained a fracture. However, the medical report that PSG published in the evening confirmed coach Galtier’s statement immediately after the game. Further investigations should show within 48 hours whether the tapes were affected.

La cheville de Neymar. pic.twitter.com/5XKGFgYy5B

— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) February 19, 2023

Unlike the 1-0 home defeat against Bayern last Tuesday, Mbappé, who had previously injured his thigh, was able to storm alongside Neymar and Messi from the start. With a 1-0 lead (11th), the Frenchman immediately showed why he is the PSG hope for the second leg in the “premier class”: Strong start, double step-over, cheeky leg shot and skillful finish.

After Neymar had increased to 2-0, PSG downgraded – and that was punished. Bafodé Diakité (23′), Jonathan David (58′) and Jonathan Bamba (69′) gave Lille a deserved 3-2 lead. This led to curious scenes on the sidelines.

After falling behind, Luís Campos, the Parisians’ strategic adviser, entered coach Galtier’s coaching zone and began yelling at his own players and referees. The 58-year-old had already used the half-time break in the duel with Bayern to leave his seat in the stands and give his protégés an opinion in the locker room. Mbappé and Messi, who had been inconspicuous for a long time, who ended the eventful game with a directly converted free kick, then saved PSG.

Bizarre scenes in Paris as Sporting Director Luis Campos walks into manager Christophe Galtier’s technical area and starts shouting at officials and the players alike. pic.twitter.com/efGFUCr85i

— Get French Football News (@GFFN) February 19, 2023

The scenes do not cast a good light on Galtier, who was recently dubbed the “stricken coach”. According to French media reports, the 56-year-old will fight for his job until the second leg of the Champions League in Munich. Zinédine Zidane, José Mourinho and ex-PSG coach Thomas Tuchel are already being traded as possible successors.

To home page