After Neymar made the decisive difference in Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League quarter-final against Atalanta, Thomas Tuchel has now labelled the Brazilian a leader for the team.
Neymar worked in attack pretty much unassisted for much of the clash against the Serie A side, but it was when Kylian Mbappe came onto the pitch that we began to see the Brazilian make the difference which catapulted the PSG into their first Champions League semi-final since 1994/95.
“Neymar is a leader, a different kind of leader who shows it through his quality, confidence and courage on the pitch,” Tuchel explained in his pre-match press conference.
“He can’t win alone, that’s not possible.
“He’s a footballer that always wants to win, he’s so hungry and has the ability to fight for that.”
RB Leipzig proved their own Champions League credentials in knocking out Atletico Madrid in the quarter-final, and Tuchel is under no illusions about the size of the task his side faces on Tuesday evening.
“It will be a very, very physical match,” Tuchel added.
“They are very aggressive and brave.
“Yet, for us this isn’t a historical event, it’s just a semi-final and we are here to win, we’re going to fight.”
Mbappe’s fitness was a serious question mark ahead of the match against Atalanta, but after he came onto the pitch and was able to contribute, many PSG fans will be hoping he is ready to start against the German club, yet Tuchel refused to give any further indication on his condition,
“We will decide today if he will be used from the bench or start the match,” Tuchel confirmed.
“We have every possibility on the table.”
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