"Life is not too hard for Neymar. To live and to play in Paris, that's not too hard!" says PSG coach
Friday 13 September 2019 23:13, UK
Thomas Tuchel has stated he cannot control Paris Saint-Germain supporters' reactions to Neymar, ahead of his potential return on Saturday.
Marquee forward Neymar is yet to play for PSG at all this season after pushing for a move to Barcelona this summer, but the deal fell through after protracted talks.
The Brazil star could make his return to the side against Strasbourg at the Parc des Princes in Ligue 1 on Saturday, and Tuchel admits he cannot affect a potentially antagonistic reception from the home crowd.
He said: "I can understand not all supporters are happy with the Neymar situation and with what happened.
"But I can not influence the reaction of the supporters, I cannot control them. The only thing I can control is what is happening in my team."
Neymar openly pushed for a move away, and after an interview recounting how much he enjoyed playing in Barca's 6-1 humiliation of PSG in the Champions League in 2017, he faced hostile chants from PSG ultras and a banner urging him to 'Get Lost'.
Tuchel added: "Life is not too hard for Neymar. To live and to play in Paris, that's not too hard!
"If you speak all the time about everything that has been said, we will get crazy, that's not possible.
"Neymar is a PSG player. Therefore he is available to play tomorrow. Yesterday he trained, I expect him to train well today. After that, he'll be ready to play.
"We are happy that the transfer window is finally closed. Now we can concentrate on ourselves."
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe trained by himself as he continues his recovery from injury.
