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PSG coach Tuchel plays down Neymar concerns ahead of Strasbourg clash

PSG coach Tuchel plays down Neymar concerns ahead of Strasbourg clash
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The Brazil forward will miss the trip to Stade de la Meinau because of a groin problem.

Paris St Germain coach Thomas Tuchel played down concerns over the long-term fitness of Neymar as his side look to kick-start another Ligue 1 winning run at Strasbourg.

The Brazil forward will miss the trip to Stade de la Meinau because of a groin problem which forced him off during the second half of the 2-2 draw at Bordeaux on Sunday.

It was the first time PSG have dropped points in Ligue 1 this season, but Tuchel is confident both the team and one of their key men will soon be back on form.

"Concerning Neymar, it's not any more serious than his previous injury. It's almost identical," Tuchel said.

"He won't play against Strasbourg. Last time he was rested against Toulouse before playing against Liverpool. We will do the same thing this time, but the injury isn't serious. He should train on Friday or Saturday."

Despite not picking up a 15th-straight league win against Bordeaux, PSG remain some 14 points clear of the chasing pack heading into the next round of games.

Tuchel confirmed midfielder Lassana Diarra was sidelined by a knee problem, but feels whomever comes into the team on Wednesday night can produce the required performance.

"It's a big challenge for us and we will need to produce a top-level performance to get the win, but we are ready," Tuchel said at a press conference reported by the club.

"It will be necessary to have some fresh players who will want to show that they are ready. There will be a few changes.

"I think everyone is ready to play a great match and start a new winning series."

PSG will not have a league match at the weekend, after their scheduled home fixture against Montpellier was postponed at the request of the police following continued civil unrest in the French capital.

The Paris club will be then next be back in action again for their crucial last Champions League Group C game away to Red Star Belgrade.

"Honestly, I don't know if it (postponement) is a good thing or a bad thing, and that's not the point. I'm a coach and safety and security is the most important thing," Tuchel said.

"It's a new situation and we have to deal with it. It's a challenge.

"We need to plan well for the match in Belgrade. For now we are focused on Strasbourg and then we'll see what happens after."

Strasbourg will be out to build on their 4-1 win over Rennes and reproduce the result of last season's 2-1 home victory against PSG.

Coach Thierry Laurey said at a press conference: "It is a gala match and we will try to find problems for this team, just like against the previous 15 clubs.

"We must be professional and serious. I want the boys to give their best."

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