Real Madrid coach says Neymar injury brings no satisfaction

Madrid Feb 26 (IANS) Real Madrid s French chief coach Zinedine Zidane on Monday said it gave him no satisfaction to see an injury take down Paris Saint Germain s Brazilian star forward Neymar ahead of the two football clubs clash in the second leg of UEFA Champions League round-of-16.

Neymar was forced to leave the field on a stretcher after apparently twisting his ankle on Sunday during PSG s 3-0 league win over Marseille which cast doubt on whether the Brazilian star would take the field against Real Madrid on March 6 reports Efe.

"It is no joy at all I do not like when players get injured and I am not happy with Neymar s injury. Hopefully he can play the game because in the end the player must be there and I have never wished for a rival player to miss a game with an injury " Zidane said at a press conference a day before his La Liga match against Espanyol.

"I do not like to see players get injured I have never wished for any player to get injured. I watched the game live and I hope Neymar s injury is nothing dangerous " he added.

The French coach downplayed the overall importance of Neymar s possible absence in the upcoming Champions League match in which PSG will try to rally back after their 3-1 defeat in the first leg.

"I do not think that one player would affect next week s match because there will always be a substitute if Neymar can t play and he (the substitute) will be motivated and ready to play the game " Zidane said.

--IANS
pur/dg