Neymar vs Atalanta | Deconstructing his top dribbling & mental skills

Neymar vs Atalanta | Deconstructing his top dribbling & mental skills | Expert analyzes PSG and Brazilian superstar Neymar’s man of the match masterclass vs Atalanta in the Champions League quarterfinals, deconstructing the top dribbling and mental skills that unlocked his incredible performance | Football (soccer) biomechanics, skills, and sports science
For reference, I’m a DPT (Doctor of Physio), sports scientist, researcher, football (soccer) coach, mindfulness enthusiast and owner of 3CB Performance -providing sports medicine, performance, and mindfulness services online and in-person at clinics in West LA and Valencia, CA.
Feel free to hit me with questions and/or you can always find me on my website or follow on social media:
Website: www.3cbperformance.com/
Twitter: / 3cbperformance
Instagram: / 3cbperformance
For those at work or the hard of hearing, I've transcribed subtitles on KZbin so sound isn't required.
Here’s a table of contents, header (subheadings):
- 0:00 Intro
- 0:28 Dribbling skills #1: Patient set up
- 1:04 Dribbling skills #2: Movement fluidity
- 1:40 Dribbling skills #3: Balance
- 2:10 Mental skills #1: Two steps ahead
- 2:32 Mental skills #2: Know when to fold em
- 2:50 Mental skills #3: Nuanced recognition
- 3:15 Outro
Script:
Welcome it’s Raj from 3CB.
PSG and Brazilian mega star Neymar put on a masterclass display against Atalanta in PSG’s thrilling 2-1 Champions League quarterfinals win on August 12th, completing an astonishing 16 take ons while orchestrating multiple chances.
In this video, I breakdown the key dribbling and mental skills that Neymar showcased during the match.
Dribbling skills
Clip #1: patient set up
This sequence highlights Neymar’s patience in finding the right opportunity with his dribble.
Neymar has two defenders keying on him but he remains patient in his straddle, looking for the right opportunity. When he sees an avenue open, he feints the outside run and drops the shoulder to thread the dribble between the defenders.
As he approaches the next defender, Neymar patiently waits for the defender to square up and then makes his move. Drags the ball to find an angle and gets the cross off cleanly but no one is there.
Dribble #2: Fluidity
This sequence showcases Neymar’s fluidity in and out of movements.
Neymar lulls the defender into a false sense of security and once the stance opens up, slips the nutmeg through.
Neymar quickly recognizes the angle of the incoming defender and flattens his dribble to easily bypass, followed by a shot a feint to freeze the third defender to open a shooting channel.
Just misses but an incredible sequence nonetheless.
Dribble #3: Balance
This series of take-ons emphasizes Neymar’s elite dribbling balance.
He baits the defender into approaching, knowing the space he has behind and easily beats him. He gets grabbed and fouled multiple times but remains on balance and stays on his course, earning a spot kick.
Mental skills
Mental skill #1: Two moves ahead
Neymar already knows before he touches the ball what his first touch and then subsequent run will be. He’s two plays ahead of everyone else and it creates a great goal scoring chance in the early stages of the match.
He fluffs the chance BUT he didn’t let that missed opportunity impact the rest of his game, showing real mental resilience.
Mental skill #2: Know when to fold em
This play may seem like nothing but it clearly shows the growth of Neymar’s game and patience. He could easily try to force the issue here against two defenders but recognizes the complete disadvantage and simply recycles the ball. It’s the simplest of things that often reveal the most.
Mental skill #3: Nuanced recognition
Neymar’s recognition here sets up the game winning goal. He recognizes the Mbappe run and open space in behind but more importantly he reads that Mbappe’s defender is square to Mbappe rather than the ball which opens up a more direct passing channel. Neymar threads in a ball behind the heels to set up Kylian’s game winning assist.
Incredible technical and mature performance from Neymar. Didn’t let early misses get him down, continued to pick his spots, and once Mbappe came on, he found even more space to operate in advantageous positions.
That’s a wrap for this video. Thanks for watching. My goal is to provide you with in-depth, evidence based, narrative free analysis and you can always find me on IG and Twitter @3CBPerformance. Make sure to sub to the channel and follow along on all social media for the latest updates. 3CB out.

[@3cbperformance]

If you appreciate the channel, please support via subs, likes, comments, and shares on other platforms. All questions and your time spent watching are always appreciated. Feel free to hit me with questions and/or you can always find me on my website or follow on social media: Website: www.3cbperformance.com/ Twitter: twitter.com/3cbPerformance Instagram: instagram.com/3cbperformance/

[@mathewskapungo3142]

Can you make a video on neymar corner kick against Toulouse,neymar Free kick technique and a knuckleball tutorial

[@3cbperformance]

Mathews Kapungo I have multiple videos out on the knuckleball. Not tutorials but gives the key mechanics behind them

[@mathewskapungo3142]

What about neymar's free kick technique

[@3cbperformance]

@@mathewskapungo3142 None yet

[@xguerreiro779]

That last pass is such a testament to the player he is. Not only the technical aspect but the way he went for the high-risk high reward pass after missing so many chances and in such a high pressure situation. Really says alot about his mentality and confidence. You should do one of these about Joao Felix sometime!

[@3cbperformance]

That's an excellent point on the pass but I think it also shows a key sign of growth in his game that he made that pass after seeing the defender's positioning rather than just trying to force in what he wanted

[@leumasM007]

Neymar🔥🔥🔥 please🙏🙏🙏 don't let us down please you was our one and only hope please score hat trick 🎩🎩🎩against Leipzig please score win UCL for us this season with PSG please🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 win UCL🏆

[@3cbperformance]

Will take an entire team effort

[@PSNRafaria]

i agreed of all u talk about in the video, good luck in your channel from Brazil

[@3cbperformance]

Thanks mate

[@slompielompie7406]

Nice analysis again, your surprising me again and again and setting my expectations for the next video again and again higher, keep it up, those analysis are helping me a lot

[@3cbperformance]

Will do

[@TheOnlyJosue]

can you please do 3 part analysis on neymar like you did with messi ??

[@3cbperformance]

TheOnlyJosue if I have time, sure, but likely not for awhile with such a short turnaround for most leagues

[@TheOnlyJosue]

3CB Performance oh okay then

[@ellis1469]

Can you do something similar to the Messi dribbling series but on shooting or passing

[@3cbperformance]

I have multiple on his passing

[@bassamnazar4792]

Great video , Could u pls make a analysis on riqui puig . It will be of immense help Thanks

[@3cbperformance]

bassam nazar great topic. Waiting for more film on him

[@mohamedbassam1635]

3CB Performance Thank you so much bro

[@3cbperformance]

@@mohamedbassam1635 For sure

[@GOATharva]

Can You Make on Sunil Chhetri?! 😀

[@akg1301]

Why is it difficult for tall players(185cm+)to dribble?

[@3cbperformance]

Based on what?

[@crgo1008]

Because they have a higher center of gravity its easier for them to fall when changing direction rapidly, imagine moving a tall building around and compare it to a smaller building, which do you think will break easier? The shorter you are the lower your center of gravity and it will be easier to change pace and direction quickly without breaking your own ankles, of course this is only one aspect that makes great dribbling ability, like quick thinking and agile feet,

[@3cbperformance]

crgo 100 I understand center of gravity quite well and I detail it in multiple videos. My question should have been more clear - where did the 185cm+ benchmark come from

[@paulcris107]

@@3cbperformance because that’s above 6ft

[@3cbperformance]

@@paulcris107 ah gotcha

[@shonnash186]

go easy on the cigarettes b

[@3cbperformance]

Auvik Rahman Lol i don’t smoke mate. Voices differ