The story behind the penalty: the inside line on the Neymar and Cavani bust-up

The Uruguayan to keep taking penalties unless Emery says otherwise

Posted Thursday, September 21, 2017 by Marca.com

MARCA has been able to find out the versions of key actors in the argument between Neymar and Cavani over who will take the penalty in Paris Saint-Germain's 2-0 win over Lyon, to get a better understanding of what took place.

FRIENDLY MEAL

Ahead of Sunday evening's clash, Neymar, with his confidante Dani Alves, and Cavani, with his friend Javier Pastore, had pasta together. There was no animosity before the game.

EMERY DOESN'T GIVE PLAYERS SPECIAL TREATMENT

Wherever Unai Emery has gone, he has followed the same policy of adapting to the team and with the arrival of Neymar he left it to the players to sort themselves out on the pitch. It meant that Cavani being the penalty specialist last season following the departure of Ibrahimovic assumed the role again while Neymar with his superstar arrival saw the situation differently. Emery wanted the two to come to an agreement between themselves which did not happen.

The 80th minute of the game arrived, following a free-kick a few moments earlier where Alves passed the ball to Neymar which wound up Cavani who wanted to take it. Then there was the penalty with Cavani, wound up and also the regular penalty taker last season, insisting that he takes the spot-kick. He went on to miss the penalty after a fine block from goalkeeper Lopes.

CAVANI TO REMAIN THE PENALTY TAKER

Following the match, Cavani was surprised by the reaction of Neymar and according to L'Equipe there was a bust up in the changing room but the Uruguayan remains adamant that he will continue to take the penaltys.

The pair are due to talk today though with Emery involved, who returns after watching Bayern Munich, their rival in the Champions League. The Spaniard will look at the situation and decide if he needs to get involved or if the players can sort it out themselves.