Neymar set to play against Dortmund says PSG coach
Paris St Germain forward Neymar is likely to play on Tuesday against Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League last 16, first-leg tie after overcoming a rib injury, PSG coach Thomas Tuchel said on Monday.
The Brazilian didn't play in the club's 4-4 Ligue 1 draw at Amiens over the weekend when Tuchel rested various other players.
"He is here, he'll train and if all goes well he will play tomorrow. Because for all of us it changes almost anything when he plays and I hope he'll play," said Tuchel.
PSG have been knocked out at this stage in the past three seasons and so are desperate to leave a mark on the competition.
"(Neymar) changes everything because if he plays we have his quality and confidence and capability to do decisive.
"It changes everything... because if he will not play we've no other player with that quality to replace him."
Tuchel, who coached Dortmund for just two seasons prior to going to Paris, will need to devise a plan to avoid the Germans' formidable attack, which includes scored 22 goals within their five Bundesliga games this year.
"It is essential to play with a whole lot of confidence in this stadium with such fans and this opponent, otherwise you cannot survive," he added prior to the clash at Signal Iduna Park.
"We've the team spirit to overcome difficult situations, adapt to different scenarios. That is the key."
PSG are under extreme pressure to finally deliver in Europe after spending big money on players in the past few seasons to create a winning squad.
They came agonisingly near a quarter-final spot this past year and then be eliminated by Manchester United with a stoppage-time penalty in the next leg.
"If you lose in the round of 16 for three years and you arrive for a fourth time it really is clear it is not the same situation," Tuchel said.
"Each year has its story and maybe we need to accept that it's sport. There are doctors, a lot more important professions, we play sports but it happens that you lose.
"Maybe later we are able to breath a bit easier. We are here in fact it is vital that you make the almost all of it." (
