Emery expects swift Neymar return after Montpellier draw

Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery said he expects Neymar to returnfrom injury for Tuesday’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich,after his side struggled to a 0-0 draw at Montpellier yesterday in theBrazilian’s absence.Neymar missed the game after suffering a right foot injury, and PSG dulysaw their perfect start to the Ligue 1 season come to an end in theirfirst match without the 25-year-old since his world record move fromBarcelona.“We will wait until tomorrow (Sunday) to see about his return,” Emery said.“There are three days left to prepare for the match, but I think that if everything goes normally he will be back.”The capital-city side have seen their early lead at the top of the tablecut to one point this weekend after reigning champions Monaco thumpedLille on Friday.Emery wants his men to be able to break down stubborn opposition without their key playmaker.“We need all the players, when a player is missing it’s important tomaintain the level and pace,” the Spaniard added, after his sidemustered just one shot on target.“Others have had time to play and they’ve helped the team, but we can’tsay that the match would have been different with Neymar.“We will play more matches with Neymar this season, but we also need to work (when we’re) without a player.”Rising star Kylian Mbappe had the best of the visitors’ chances at theStade de la Mosson, but the 18-year-old was profligate in front of goal.Without Neymar pulling the strings, Paris were toothless for the first45 minutes, with some players perhaps keeping one eye on the Bayerngame.PSG did finally create a decent chance shortly after the restart, asMontpellier threw away possession on the edge of their own area andMbappe curled a tame shot straight at home goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte.The teenager, who will become the world’s second-most expensive playerbehind Neymar when he completes his permanent transfer from Monaco nextyear, should have broken the deadlock, but headed wide when unmarkedfrom only a few yards out.Mbappe was starting to make an impact, as he raced through on goal only to scuff his shot and allow the home defence to clear.Striker Edinson Cavani, who missed a penalty last week after an argumentwith Neymar, had an appeal for a spot-kick waved away after going downin a heap under a potentially goal-saving tackle from defender PedroMendes.But last season’s runners-up were left frustrated by Montpellier’s organisation and 5-4-1 formation.Monaco had put the pressure on PSG at the summit as Radamel Falcao tookhis goal tally for the season to 11 with a brace in a 4-0 thrashing ofLille.The champions were barely made to sweat by their pitiful hosts, whosecoach Marcelo Bielsa is now under serious pressure after a six-matchwinless run.