Barcelona midfielder De Jong: Easier facing PSG without Neymar

Posted Wednesday, March 10, 2021 by Tribalfootball.com

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong insists they face PSG with optimism.

De Jong knows that Barcelona face an uphill battle as they try to overturn their 4-1 first leg deficit against their Champions League round 16 opponents, but he believes the continued injury absence of Neymar helps the Catalan club out.

The Brazilian won't be able to face his former club due to his continue injury issues.

"For me, he is one of the best in the world," De Jong said in a pre-match press conference as he spoke about Neymar.

"When he's not there, it's better or easier for us. I don't know how to put it. But, without Neymar on the other side, it's easier."

Asked about the tie as a whole and the likelihood of Barcelona achieving another comeback against the Parisians, four years and two days after the famous 2017 one, De Jong said this was the clear objective.

"I don't know if the 4-1 result from the first leg was fair, but we played poorly and we're going in to this game to try to present a good image and to try to compete," he said.

"You always have to believe a comeback is possible, but we need to show it tomorrow on the pitch.

"We're always united and we're achieving some good results of late. The unity was seen in the Sevilla matches. We're going to Paris to try to win and compete.

"We're training well and, personally, I feel good, which is important. I want to keep this up as I'm happy."