PSG's Neymar out for rematch vs. Strasbourg
Paris Saint-Germain will be without star attacker Neymar for Wednesday's Coupe de la Ligue round of 16 tilt against Strasbourg, with the 25-year-old not named to the club's 18-man roster.
Neymar has returned home to Brazil for "personal matters," with French radio station RMC Sport reporting he flew back Saturday after receiving "bad news involving his family." PSG manager Unai Emery later confirmed Neymar was in Brazil while affirming the club permitted the request.
"He called me on Saturday morning to tell me that he has some family issues going on," Emery said Monday. "He asked for permission to go to Brazil. It was important to him ... I hope that he stays for three or four days, but the most important thing is that the problem be resolved. We will wait. I don't know whether he will be back tomorrow."
Neymar, 25, has featured 18 times for PSG in Ligue 1 and the Champions League this season, scoring 15 goals and nine assists. His presence will be missed against the newly promoted Strasbourg, the only team to defeat PSG this season, a 2-1 win on Dec. 2.
They now meet again in Coupe de la Ligue play.