PARIS: Kylian Mbappé and Neymar enjoyed a prolific start to Paris St Germain’s new Ligue 1 season and although they argued over who should take the penalty shoot-out, the French striker insisted they had a good relationship .
PSG face Juventus in the opening Champions League Tuesday’s game with the duo scoring seven goals each on the home front while Lionel Messi provided six assists.
Neymar and Mbappe argued over who should take a penalty against Montpellier last month after the Frenchman missed a kick earlier.
The Brazilian took it and converted it as PSG won 5-2, before lashing out at Mbappe on social media.
“Our relationship has always been like this. There are times when it’s a little cold, other times when it’s warmer. Sometimes we’re like best friends and other times we talk less, but there is always respect,” Mbappe told the news. conference before the PSG group H match.
“When you have two players with a lot of character, these things happen but we always respect each other and have PSG’s interest at heart.”
PSG have scored 24 goals in six league games but are fully aware of the challenge they face against Juve, who have conceded just two goals since the start of the Serie A season.
“It’s extremely difficult to create space against this team,” said coach Christophe Galtier.
“Every year there are eight or nine teams that can win. Are we the favourites?
“Tomorrow we will face a team that has a lot of experience in the competition, with a coach (Massimo Allegri) who has much more experience than me in the Champions League.”
Galtier succeeded Mauricio Pochettino during the tight season and the Champions League top of his list of priorities, but the Frenchman said there was no added pressure ahead of his first game in charge with PSG on the European stage.
“The pressure, I’ve had it since the day I signed. But there won’t be any additional pressure tomorrow.”
PSG face Juventus in the opening Champions League Tuesday’s game with the duo scoring seven goals each on the home front while Lionel Messi provided six assists.
Neymar and Mbappe argued over who should take a penalty against Montpellier last month after the Frenchman missed a kick earlier.
The Brazilian took it and converted it as PSG won 5-2, before lashing out at Mbappe on social media.
“Our relationship has always been like this. There are times when it’s a little cold, other times when it’s warmer. Sometimes we’re like best friends and other times we talk less, but there is always respect,” Mbappe told the news. conference before the PSG group H match.
“When you have two players with a lot of character, these things happen but we always respect each other and have PSG’s interest at heart.”
PSG have scored 24 goals in six league games but are fully aware of the challenge they face against Juve, who have conceded just two goals since the start of the Serie A season.
“It’s extremely difficult to create space against this team,” said coach Christophe Galtier.
“Every year there are eight or nine teams that can win. Are we the favourites?
“Tomorrow we will face a team that has a lot of experience in the competition, with a coach (Massimo Allegri) who has much more experience than me in the Champions League.”
Galtier succeeded Mauricio Pochettino during the tight season and the Champions League top of his list of priorities, but the Frenchman said there was no added pressure ahead of his first game in charge with PSG on the European stage.
“The pressure, I’ve had it since the day I signed. But there won’t be any additional pressure tomorrow.”
