PSG boss gives his verdict on 'unfortunate' Neymar debate

The Brazil international is out for the rest of the season after undergoing ankle surgery.

Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier accepts his attack is more balanced without Neymar, but insists it doesn’t make the team itself stronger.

The 31-year-old PSG forward is out with a season-ending ankle injury. He has been involved in 35 goals in all competitions this term, scoring 18 times and providing 17 assists.

Despite these stats, Christophe Dugarry has said he is ‘happy’ Neymar is injured. The former French attacker reckons Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi work better as a duo up front.

“I’ve read the debate around Neymar. It’s unfortunate for him and a handicap for the team,” Galtier said in a press conference on Tuesday.

“Look at his goals and assists this season. When I read that it could be a good thing for us, no! The player is seriously injured.

“He’s always been professional since I’ve been here, though he did have a difficult period after the World Cup. Is the team better balanced? Yes. But is it better like that? Having Neymar in the squad is an additional asset for us to score goals.”

PSG will play Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

The Ligue 1 leaders aim to overturn a 1-0 aggregate deficit from last month’s first-leg defeat in Paris. For match details and betting stats, visit the Ace Football link here.