Brazil coach Tite has admitted that PSG want out superstar, Neymar, forced him to discard a part of his original game plan with a heroic showing in the Selecao’s 2-2 draw with Colombia in an international friendly match early Saturday morning (Nigerian time) in Miami, USA, Completesports.com reports.
Neymar couldn’t see his spirited remonstration to leave Paris Saint-Germain and rejoin Barcelona materialize in the summer as both the Ligue 1 side and Laliga giants failed to agree a deal
Neymar was yet to play a part in Thomas Tuchel’s team after four rounds of Ligue 1 games this term as a result of the transfer saga when Tite called him up for the Brazil – Colombia clash, with an original plan to give him a limited game time.
Neymar however showed no sign of match rustiness and dazzled his national team coach and the 65,232 sellout crowd at the Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, with a sterling performance.
He provided an assist from a corner-kick from which Casemeiro netted the curtain raiser in the 19th minute. Then scored with a nifty side-footed effort in the 58th minute to end the scoreline at 2-2 after Luis Muriel’s brace (25th and 34th minutes) had Colombia in front.
“I said l will take him [Neymar] off for the sake of physical preservation,” Tite told reporters after the game in Miami.
“But I saw that his physical responses were strong, intense, and coordinated. I could see him improving [as the match progressed].
“As the game approached the end, he produced [great moments] more and more. He kept his technique well and created space. He was above my expectation.”
Tite added: “We talked yesterday about monitoring the performance of Neymar from 45 minutes.
“A player starts thinking and cannot
perform [if tired]. But he was thinking and performing. It surprised me.”
Neymar hugs Tite in goal celebration
Tite would also explain Neymar’s emotional goal celebration in the match. He ran over to hug his coach in a moment of ecstasy after netting the equalizer.
“It is a reaction of true loyalty. We have a relationship of truth and loyalty. We say what we think is right and what is wrong,” he said.
“It is a transparent relationship. I don’t analyse other facts, and situations, but can say that we have a good relationship.”
Copyright © 2024 Completesports.com All rights reserved. The information contained in Completesports.com may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the prior written authority of Completesports.com.
COMMENTS