The return of Neymar to the PSG starting line up didn’t do the magic as expected when the champions lost 1-0 to Olympique Marseille yesternight.
The Paris club is playing with a weakened frontline following the absence of Kylian Mbappe, who is still out of action after contracting COVID-19.
Neymar, who recently returned to training after testing negative to the virus was unable to stop PSG from suffering two consecutive defeats for the first time since the 1984-85 season. The return of Neymar and Angel Di Maria couldn’t do much for Thomas Tuchel’s men. Marquinhos, Keylor, and some other PSG players are still in isolation.
The only difference between both teams was the strike of Florian Thauvin. As expected temper flared in the game and it ended with a melee that left five players sent off.
Neymar had initially been yellow-carded in the game before being given another straight red for pushing Alvaro Gonzalez’s head. There was a total of 17 cards in the game, which is the league’s record in the 21st century.
PSG had opened their title defense with a surprise 1-0 defeat at RC Lens on Thursday.
Neymar wants action on a racist comment
Meanwhile, Neymar has called for action against a racist comment made against him. The Brazilian has reported it to the fourth official after being sent off.
He took to his Twitter page asking the governing body to do the needful against the person who called him MONO “HIJO DE PUTA” (monkey motherf*ker)”.
Único arrependimento que tenho é por não ter dado na cara desse babaca
— Neymar Jr (@neymarjr) September 13, 2020
VAR pegar a minha “agressão” é mole … agora eu quero ver pegar a imagem do racista me chamando de “MONO HIJO DE PUTA” (macaco filha da puta)… isso eu quero ver!
E aí? CARRETILHA vc me pune.. CASCUDO sou expulso… e eles? E aí ?— Neymar Jr (@neymarjr) September 13, 2020
Neymar had been involved in running battle with Gonzalez throughout the game. It is yet to be know if it was the defender that made the comment, making him to punch him.
PSG Vs Marseille highlight
This is the first time that Marseille will record a victory against PSG in 21 attempts. New signing Alessandro Florenzi got his debut at right-back for the hosts while Marseille started the game with no out-and-out striker.
PSG nearly extended their unbeaten record against the visitors just two minutes in. Marco Veratti met Florenzi’s cross at close-range, but Steve Mandanda’s reflex saves kept the ball out.
PSG’s call for a penalty was also turned down by referee Jérôme Brisard after Idrissa Gueye’s shot appeared to strike the arm of Boubacar Kamara. Neymar later headed wide from another Florenzi’s cross and the hosts looked to have firm control of the game.
Thauvin, who had only managed two shots on target against the champions in six meetings was third time lucky. Payet delivered a free-kick to the back post and Thauvin was strangely alone. The 2018 world cup winner squeezed a shot between the post and Sergio Rico to give the visitors the lead.
Mandanda was again in top form when he blocked a Pablo Sarabia first-time effort in the second half. He later readjusted on the hour mark quickly to keep out a Neymar shot that had ricocheted off Alvaro Gonzalez.
In the injury time, Layvin Kurzawa and Jordan Amavi were given the marching orders after a heated clash while substitute, Leandro Paredes, and Dario Benedetto also got their second yellow card of the game.
After checking on VAR, Neymar was also dismissed. This left PSG with eight men till the end of the game. Tuchel is now left with a selection headache for Wednesday’s home game against FC Metz.
This is the second time PSG will lose their opening two matches of the league season without scoring a goal. The last time was in the 1978-79 season.
