Skip to content

Emery calls on Neymar, Cavani to resolve issue after set-piece disputes

CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP / Getty

The first conflict of the new era at Paris Saint-Germain saw two of the club's biggest stars bicker over who would take set-pieces during Sunday's win over Lyon.

After a seemingly perfect start to life in the French capital, Neymar clashed on a pair of occasions with teammate Edinson Cavani over who was responsible for taking free-kicks and penalties for the star-studded Ligue 1 outfit.

Manager Unai Emery told reporters after PSG's 2-0 victory that he expects the duo to resolve the issue themselves, and threatened to intervene if a resolution could not be reached.

"I have told them to sort it out between themselves," Emery said, according to Callum Davis of The Telegraph.

"The penalties are to be struck by a few players, one is Cavani and the other is Neymar.

"It takes a gentleman's agreement on the pitch to take the penalties. Afterwards, we will arrange internally for the penalties, because I think both are able to score them, and I want the two to alternate in this exercise.

"If there is no agreement, I will decide. I do not want it to be a problem for us."

The first dispute occurred when Cavani was preparing to take a penalty while Neymar - who joined PSG last month following a world-record €222-million transfer from Bacelona - stood nearby, seemingly trying to convince the Uruguayan to let him take the shot. Cavani didn't budge, but was denied a goal as Lyon 'keeper Anthony Lopes pulled off an incredible save.

The two were at it again later in the encounter, but this time Dani Alves got involved. However, instead of playing peacemaker, Alves took his Brazilian teammate's side and shielded the ball from Cavani before discretely handing it to Neymar.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox