Real Madrid and PSG square off at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday with both clubs vying for the top spot in Champions League Group A.
Having beaten Madrid 3-0 in Paris in the first leg in September, PSG have a five-point lead over their opponents going into the game and are clear favourites to finish top of the group. They only need a point from the game to ensure that happens, leaving them, in theory, with an easier second round fixture.
Anything less than three points for Zinedine Zidane’s side could leave them with a very nervy trip to Club Brugge, should the Belgian side, currently five points behind Madrid, manage to pull of an unlikely victory over Galatasaray in Turkey.
Wednesday’s clash at the Bernabéu will be the tenth competitive meeting between Madrid and PSG, with the LaLiga side having won four games to PSG’s three (they’ve drawn twice).
Madrid have not lost at home to PSG since 1994 in the Cup Winners Cup, where Liberian legend George Weah scored the only goal to secure the victory for the French club.
With Neymar and Kylian Mbappé returning after missing the first leg against Los Blancos, Thomas Tuchel’s side, who have won all four of their Group fixtures so far, will be confident of putting an end to a long wait for a Bernabéu win. Although Neymar could start on the bench.
Madrid, meanwhile, who have won their last two group fixtures home and away to Galatasaray, will also be confident of picking up the three points, with veterans Karim Benzema (currently the fifth highest scorer from Europe’s big-5 leagues with 12) and Luka Modric coming into the game after impressive individual performances against Real Sociedad.
Real Madrid predicted XI versus PSG
Starting XI: Courtois; Mendy, Ramos, Varane, Carvajal; Kroos, Valverde, Casemiro, Modric; Hazard, Benzema Subs: Areola, Militao, Marcelo, Isco, Bale, Rodrygo, JovicPSG predicted XI versus Real Madrid
Starting XI: Navas, Dagba, Thiago Silva, Kimpeme, Bernat; Marquinhos, Gueye, Verratti; Di María, Icardi, Mbappé Subs: Sergio Rico, Meunier, Diallo, Paredes, Draxler, Sarabia, Neymar, CavaniReal Madrid vs PSG: Injuries and suspensions
The hosts are missing Marco Asensio, Lucas Vazquez and James Rodriguez, while Nacho is a doubt. Neymar returned to action for PSG at the weekend but could start this game on the bench, but the visitors will be without Ander Herrera, Layvin Kurzawa, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Thilo Kehrer. Neither side has any suspended players going into the game. PSG’s Di Maria and Verratti are at risk of missing PSG's final group game if they are booked against Madrid. Real Madrid vs PSG, what the managers said ZInedine Zidane (Real Madrid): “We need a great game. They are having a magnificent season and we know that this game will be more demanding than the others. But we enjoy this. We have improved since then [the 3-0 loss in Paris], but it is not a rematch. We want to get the result and stay consistent, confirming our dynamic. It will be interesting.” Thomas Tuchel (PSG): “[Mbappé] has the opportunity to win everything, individually and as a team. He's a key player for us. It's not possible to win anything without Ney or without Kylian. They are truly exceptional players. Really exceptional. Mbappé is super young. He has to protect himself and improve himself every day. He can win everything."Real Madrid vs PSG: recent form (last six games)
Real Madrid: Won v Galatasaray (A), 1-0 (UCL) Won v Leganes (H), 5-0 (League) Drew v Real Betis (H), 0-0 (League) Won v Galatasaray (H), 6-0 (UCL) Won v Eibar (A), 4-0 (League) Won v Real Sociedad (H),3-1 (League) PSG: Won v Club Brugge (A), 5-0 (UCL) Won v Marseille (H), 4-0 (League) Lost v Dijon (A), 2.0 (League) Won v Club Brugge (H), 1-0 (UCL) Won v Brest (A), 2-1 (League) Won v Lille (H) 2-0 (League)Live Commentary on Joy 99.7FM
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana will take time to recover – Akorfa Edjeani
13 minutes -
Boakye Agyarko urges reforms to revitalise NPP after election defeat
31 minutes -
Finance Minister skips mini-budget presentation for third time
32 minutes -
‘ORAL’ team to work gratis – Ablakwa
40 minutes -
Affirmative Action Coalition condemns lack of gender quotas in Transition, anti-corruption teams
49 minutes -
December 7 election was a battle for the ‘soul of Ghana’ against NPP – Fifi Kwetey
50 minutes -
Social media buzzing ahead of Black Sherif’s ‘Zaama Disco’ on December 21
1 hour -
Afenyo-Markin still suffering from the massive defeat – Fifi Kwetey
1 hour -
Retain Afenyo-Markin as NPP leader, he has experience – Deputy Speaker
1 hour -
Kufuor didn’t leave behind a strong economy – Fifi Kwetey
1 hour -
It won’t be business as usual, remain humble – Fifi Kwetey to party members
2 hours -
Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror appointed as new Clerk to Parliament
3 hours -
Actress Benyiwaa of ‘Efiewura’ TV series dead
4 hours -
Ashanti Regional Chief Imam dies at age 74
4 hours -
Africa Arts Network calls for tax reform to save Ghana’s theatre industry
4 hours