Neymar and Edinson Cavani are said to have separated in the PSG locker room after the Lyon match | Launderer report
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Paris Saint-Germain forwards Edinson Cavani and Neymar were reportedly barred from coming to blows by club captain Thiago Silva in the locker room after their 2-0 victory over Lyon on Sunday.
The duo were embroiled in a disagreement over who should shoot a penalty during the game, with Cavani ultimately taking the kick. They also appeared to clash over who should take other set pieces during the game, with Dani Alves passing the ball to Neymar away from Cavani at one point.
According to The team (h / t Get French Football News), the pair were then involved in a furious exchange in the locker room after the game:
AFP’s Tom Williams relayed the French newspaper’s coverage on Tuesday, clearly suggesting that there is a problem between the duo:
According to Alex richards of the Daily Mirror, Cavani, who did not take part in the team’s post-match celebrations, told Neymar he was not impressed with his post-match attitude. The pair would then have lined up, before Silva and Marquinhos intervened – by sport.
Cavani then left the dressing room earlier than the rest of his teammates and was pictured starting through a back door instead of crossing the mixed zone.
By Sport Witness, the report of The team was accompanied by this cartoon of the duo depicted as children fighting in a sandbox, while Mundo Deportivo also had a say:
Cavani has opened up about talks with Neymar since the game, recounting Radio Universal’s Gol de Medianoche (h / t EFE via sport) that he has no problem with his new partner before.
“I just learned the story talking with my brother, about people saying Cavani won’t let anyone take penalties and there is a problem with Neymar,†he said. “The truth is there is no problem. [Neymar] just arrived and as I said from the start, we want him to adapt in the best possible way. “
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Still, from what manager Unai Emery has said about the duo and the need for clarity on set pieces, it seems there is tension between the two:
Reports of unrest have troubled what has been an otherwise perfect start to the season. After all, they beat Lyon in a fierce game on Sunday and their record remains perfect in Ligue 1 after six games.
In terms of bonding on the pitch, Cavani, Neymar and new signing Kylian Mbappe have also been sensational this season. Cavani leads the line with incision and physique, while this latest duo adds searing pace, versatility and flair.
Since the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cavani has loved being the main man of PSG and perhaps he is not yet too keen to let go of all responsibility. But from Neymar’s perspective, after a world record transfer this summer, it’s understandable that he’s desperately looking to make as strong an impression as possible.
