MX23RW : Friday, November 29 04:38:29| >> :600:155944:155944:

Thomas Meunier: 'I do not know how to stop Neymar'

Belgium defender Thomas Meunier describes Brazil's Neymar as "unpredictable" and admits that he may struggle to contain his opponent in Friday's World Cup showdown.

Thomas Meunier has confessed that he has no idea how to stop "unpredictable" Neymar when his Belgium side face Brazil in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Neymar has steadily found his feet in Russia following a four-month layoff in the build-up to the tournament, adding another goal and assist to his tally in the 2-0 win against Mexico on Monday.

Belgium defender Meunier, whose side produced a memorable comeback to beat Japan 3-2 in their last-16 tie, is now tasked with halting his Paris Saint-Germain teammate in Friday evening's showdown.

Asked how he plans on doing that, however, Meunier told Globo Esporte: "I do not know how to stop him. He is very unpredictable. Neymar is probably the best player I've ever played with or against.

"Anyway, I'll do my best. I know we have a chance, but I also know that it is very complicated to stop them, not just Neymar. [Philippe] Coutinho, [Roberto] Firmino, [Gabriel] Jesus, Marcelo, the whole team.

"They have many qualities. It's complicated. We're facing the best team in the world. We have a chance, but it will be quite complicated.

"I expect a difficult game. We are not favourites to the World Cup. To beat Brazil, you have to be 100%, 120% of your mental and physical capacity. It's already a final for us. We know we have quality and collectiveness to beat them, but we also know that it will not be easy."

Neymar has been involved in 20 goals in his past 19 games in all competitions for Brazil, scoring 11 and assisting nine.

ID:329756: cacheID:329756:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2793:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Brazil's Neymar during the game against Switzerland on June 17, 2018
Read Next:
Osorio: Neymar antics "a shame for football"
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.20am
Dolphins
@
Packers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!