Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach, Unai Emery has praised “intelligent” duo Neymar and Edinson Cavani but claims they “need each other” as the Ligue 1 title race heats up.
Fresh from their 7-1 thrashing of Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday, PSG will travel to the principality to face Ligue 1 title rivals AS Monaco on Sunday with a six-point lead.
Asked about Neymar and Cavani at his pre-match news conference at Camp des Loges on Friday, Emery was firm in his belief that the pair can be world beaters.
“Neymar and Edinson both possess the quality to be the best in the world,” the Spaniard told journalists. “Their characters heavily influence their performances on the pitch.
“They are intelligent — they know that they need each other but also their teammates, in order to balance the attack.
“They know their role when they have the ball, their relationship on the pitch with their teammates and how to give the best options to demonstrate their qualities as part of an attacking trio. It is important for me and for them to know how to play together.
“They are performing to the best of their capabilities, for the team and for themselves.”
When the inevitable question of penalty duties between the two surfaced again, Emery said: “these are internal matters and they will stay that way — I have spoken with the players and I explained my decision.”
Rumours of Neymar already leaving PSG for Real Madrid were branded “nothing” by Emery, who added that the Brazil international “is here and he is good here”.
Meanwhile, tomorrow’s clash at Stade Louis II will be Kylian Mbappe’s first match against his formative club as a PSG player.
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