Paris Saint-Germain will travel to Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Real Madrid on Wednesday evening.
Kylian Mbappe scored a fantastic goal in stoppage time at the Parc des Princes last month to give Les Parisians an advantage in the first leg of their last-16 tie. But they didn’t have the best of preparations for the big clash at Santiago Bernabeu as Mauricio Pochettino’s side fell to a 1-0 Ligue 1 defeat to OGC Nice on Sunday.
The Ligue 1 giants’ resilience could be put to the test in Madrid later this week as Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid will aim to overturn the first-leg deficit.
Paris Saint-Germain were dealt with a big blow last week when Kylian Mbappe picked up a knock in training. However, he has undergone treatment and the medical tests are ‘reassuring’, confirmed the club’s official website.
But the French club noted on its official website that both Sergio Ramos and Ander Herrera will not feature against Real Madrid due to calf injury and conjunctivitis respectively.
Goalkeeper
Gianluigi Donnarumma will replace Keylor Navas in goal on Wednesday after watching his team lose 1-0 to Nice from the bench last weekend. The big Italian will need to be at his best to keep a clean sheet against Real Madrid.
Defence
Achraf Hakimi missed the last two games due to a quadriceps problem but is fit to face his former employers. The Moroccan international should walk straight into the PSG lineup at right-back, where he will be tasked to keep the in-form Vinicius Jr. at bay.
Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe are likely starters at centre-back in the PSG lineup, with Nuno Mendes expected to replace Juan Bernat at left-back.
Midfield
Idrissa Gueye will anchor the midfield as well as protect the PSG backline. The Senegalese will have the support of Danilo Pereira. Marco Verratti is a certainty to start in the engine room and will look to dictate play alongside Gueye and Danilo.
Georginio Wijnaldum and Julian Draxler could get minutes off the bench.
Attack
Kylian Mbappe could just make it in time to face Real Madrid, which will be a massive boost for Pochettino’s side. The Frenchman has been PSG’s best player this season and his involvement from the start should worry the hosts.
Lionel Messi and Neymar will complete PSG’s attacking triumvirate, as the South American duo look to haunt Real at the Santiago Bernabeu. Angel di Maria could come on at some point in the second period.
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