A mouthwatering clash between two European heavyweights awaits on Tuesday night when Paris Saint-Germain welcome Real Madrid to the Parc des Princes for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16.
PSG finished behind Manchester City in the group stage, and regardless of a star-studded side did not look at their fluid best on several occasions. Mauricio Pochettino will be under huge pressure to get his team up for the fight and beat Real Madrid.
As for Real Madrid, they topped their group with 15 points and are performing well in La Liga. However, a shock loss in the Copa De Rey and recent failure to get positive results means Carlo Ancelotti’s side will head to Paris low in confidence.
PSG vs Real Madrid – Team News
Paris Saint-Germain
Sergio Ramos has been ruled out for Paris Saint-Germain, which means the experienced defender will not face his former employers on Tuesday. Neymar has returned to training following a serious ankle injury back in late November, though the Brazilian is unlikely to start against Real Madrid.
Gianluigi Donnarumma is likely to get the nod ahead of Keylor Navas in goal. The Les Parisians have a settled back four in Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe and Nuno Mendes, and Pochettino should stick with it against Real.
"It's a very special game"
Parisians, current and former, talk about the long-awaited clash between the capital club and Real Madrid ✊#PSGRM pic.twitter.com/VSUMfz0oNb
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 15, 2022
Idrissa Gueye’s return to the squad after winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal is a big boost for PSG. The Senegalese will start alongside Marco Verratti and Ander Herrera in the PSG midfield that will look to stop Real’s famed trio of Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric from dominating possession.
Upfront, Lionel Messi will be raring to produce a big performance against his old enemy. If the Argentinean magician can combine well with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Angel di Maria in the final third, Real might have an embarrassment on their hands.
Real Madrid
Karim Benzema is an injury concern for Real Madrid as he has been struggling with a hamstring injury and hasn’t featured since the 2-2 LaLiga draw with Elche last month. But Ferland Mendy has been declared fit to play following his own hamstring problem.
Thibaut Courtois is a certainty to start in the Real goal, with a backline comprising Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba and Ferland Mendy protecting the big Belgian. Ancelotti will expect his defence to be switched on from minute one until the last blow of the whistle against a fiery PSG attack.
Casemiro’s job of breaking PSG’s forays from the base of Real’s midfield becomes crucial on Tuesday. His positioning and reading of the game will allow the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric to dictate the tempo of the game.
If Karim Benzema is deemed not fully fit to start, Ancelotti could go with Gareth Bale up top as he did in the 0-0 draw with Villarreal last weekend. Marco Asensio and Vinicius Jr. will slot in wide areas, as the Los Blancos look to secure a first-leg advantage.
PSG vs Real Madrid – Predicted Lineups
PSG Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe, Nuno Mendes; Marco Verratti, Idrissa Gueye, Ander Herrera; Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Angel di Maria
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy; Luka Modric, Casemiro, Toni Kroos; Marco Asensio, Gareth Bale, Vinicius Jr.
PSG vs Real Madrid – Key Players
PSG—Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi may have not enjoyed a great debut season with the Les Parisians but one cannot look past his ability to make a telling impact in any given time in a game. Even in the twilight of his career, the Argentinean can produce defence-splitting passes, score long-range screamers and come up with the goods from set-pieces. On a big night in Paris, he can prove his mettle once again.
Real Madrid—Vinicius Jr.
Vinicius Jr. has been a standout performer for Real Madrid this season. With 15 goals and eight assists to his name in all competitions, he is in red-hot form at the moment. With his explosive pace, exquisite dribbling skills and much-improved finishing technique, the Brazilian can run the PSG defence ragged on Tuesday night.
Prediction: PSG 2-2 Real Madrid
