The inside of PSG was stirred up because of Neymar
French newspaper L'Équipe revealed that Campos had reprimanded the players for playing "lack of determination" in the defeat to Monaco. Two Brazilian pillars - Neymar and Marquinhos - did not like this reaction from Campos, when they both said that PSG's problem was not in the lack of fierceness.
Then they had a heated argument in Portuguese. The incident was so tense that many members of PSG were also surprised.
During the match, Neymar repeatedly expressed frustration, criticizing teammates Vitinha and Ekitike for not accurately passing into dangerous positions and for his poor decision-making ability in front of goal. Neymar is said to have used "unkind" words with Ekitike - the 20-year-old French striker. This reaction of his made many PSG players - both those criticized by the Brazilian striker and Ekitike's defenders - feel uncomfortable.
According to RMC Sport, many PSG players contracted an intestinal virus, leading to vomiting, abdominal pain and fatigue, a few hours before the Monaco match. This illness and the storm of trauma left coach Christophe Galtier without the strongest force.
PSG started with many young players, including 16-year-old midfielder Warren Zaire Emery, 20-year-old winger Timothee Pembele and 17-year-old centre-back El Chadaille Bitshiabu. Many pillars like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Marco Verratti are injured, while Achraf Hakimi, Presnel Kimpembe, Sergio Ramos or Nuno Mendes are only substitutes.
PSG's patchwork squad played badly and conceded three goals in the first half. The French capital club only removed one goal thanks to an empty goal by Emery, from Juan Bernat's cross.
PSG is entering an important phase of the season, when it will take on Bayern in the first leg of the 1/8 Champions League round on February 14. But besides the conflict in the dressing room, they are not in good form, having lost three of their seven Ligue 1 matches in 2023. They were also eliminated from the round of 16 of the French National Cup due to a 1-2 loss on Marseille stadium on 8/2.
