Don’t expect Neymar and Edinson Cavani to stop arguing about who takes set pieces

Last season, Edinson Cavani got the chance to be PSG’s star for once. After years of sacrificing for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he became the center forward and ended the season as Ligue 1’s top scorer. But PSG was always going to go sign a global superstar, and this summer, Neymar arrived. Now the two stars are arguing about who takes penalties and free kicks.

Manager Unai Emery was asked about the incidents after the game and didn’t sound too pleased. “I have told them to sort it out between themselves,” Emery said. “I think that they are capable of doing that and that they will both be our kickers. If they cannot reach an agreement, I will decide for them. I do not want this to become a problem for us.”

Cavani doesn’t seem to think this is an issue. “The truth is that these are normal things; things that happen in football,” he said on Monday. “I learned of the story just now talking with my brother, about people saying that Cavani won’t let anyone take penalties and that there’s a problem with Neymar. The truth is that there’s no problem.”

While Cavani’s probably right that this is a manufactured controversy, Cavani’s unlikely to just let Neymar take all the penalties, since he has a €1 million bonus clause for being top scorer in Ligue 1. It’s not public knowledge whether or not Neymar has a similar clause.

If the two PSG stars can’t sort out who takes penalties and free kicks, perhaps they should use the Kroos-Ribery method: Play rock-paper-scissors for them.

Here’s a pup who is very good at soccer showing off its skills during a match in Argentina.

The New England Revolution have fired head coach Jay Heaps. (The Bent Musket)

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is out until at least January. (Bavarian Football Works)

Manchester United is asking Kick It Out for assistance on what to do about a Romelu Lukaku chant that includes racial stereotypes. (BBC)

The FIFA Golden Boy shortlist is out. Kylian Mbappe is probably the favorite. (Guardian)

Rio Ferdinand is going to try professional boxing, apparently. (ESPN FC)

Zinedine Zidane has extended his contract at Real Madrid. (Managing Madrid)

Another injury will keep Danny Welbeck out for a month. (The Short Fuse)

Atlético Madrid’s new stadium can’t host the Champions League final because of its lack of VIP seating. (SI)

David Selini on Cagliari’s up-and-coming playmaker Nicolo Barella. (ESDF)

Suzanne Wrack on the new English WSL season. (Guardian)

Matt Doyle on why Jay Heaps got fired and what else is wrong with the Revs. (MLS)

Bundesliga: four games (from 12:30 p.m.) — Schalke-Bayern is absolutely worth your time.

La Liga: two games (from 2 p.m.) — Valencia-Malaga and Barcelona-Eibar are both very watchable.

Serie A: Bologna vs. Inter (2:45 p.m.) — Inter’s off to a strong start and looks like a contender for a top-three place in Italy.

League Cup: 11 games (2:45 p.m.) — Most aren’t accessible to watch, but a handful of games are on ESPN3.