UEFA Champions League preview: PSG vs Real Madrid

Both Real Madrid and PSG will be looking to put their disastrous 18/19 campaigns behind them, as they look to launch fresh challenges on the UEFA Champions League this season.

Real Madrid and PSG are no strangers to each other both on and off the field. Los Blancos previously eliminated the Ligue One champions two seasons ago as they went onto lift the trophy in Kiev. PSG will be looking to finally make a deeper run into the competition.

Real Madrid were ceremoniously dumped out of the competition in the quarter finals last year by Ajax. The Dutch side suffered defeat to the Spanish outfit at home before running riot in Madrid, beating them 4-1 in the Bernabeu in what was an emphatic performance. Having won 4 of the previous 6 editions of the competition, Real Madrid’s pedigree and rich history is undeniable. With some sparkling new additions that are headlined by Eden Hazard, Real should be a side that can never truly be ruled out of a competition they certainly know how to win.

PSG will be looking to make a statement of intent when they host Real on the opening day. Despite another season of domestic success, the French side, like their opponents, were embarrassed on home soil. After taking a two goal lead at Old Trafford, PSG were favourites to progress but instead they collapsed to an unexpected defeat. Eliminated for the third straight season at the round of 16 stage, Thomas Tuchel’s men will be in need of a deep run to show the project has been a success. Already boasting one of the best attacks in the world, Tuchel also added serial scorer Mauro Icardi to his front-line, a solid couple of options in midfield with Idrissa Gueye and Ander Hererra, as well as Dortmund’s Abdou Diallo and Real Madrid’s Keylor Navas to his backline.

Team news

PSG will be without their star forwards in Neymar and Kylian Mbappé. The Brazilian is serving a three game ban following his controversial comments against UEFA after the loss to Manchester United last season. Whilst Kylian Mbappé is not expected to feature following a muscle injury picked up against Toulouse, despite returning to training on an individual basis this week. Also amongst the absentees are Julian Draxler and Thilo Kehrer, Edinson Cavani also could find himself absent as he recovers from injury.

Like his opponent, Zinedine Zidane also has absentees to deal with. The Frenchman has seen a considerable amount of injuries plague his team this season leaving him short of options. Sergio Ramos and Nacho are both suspended from the match and Marcelo is injured. In midfield, Isco, Modric and Federico Valverde are all officially ruled out, whilst Marco Asensio is the only forward missing for Los Blancos.

Thomas Tuchel’s pre-game thoughts:

Ahead of this gargantuan clash, Tuchel has called on the fans to generate huge atmospheres to spur on the team, he said: “These are three big atmospheres and very nice atmospheres to play football. We know like every year that we must be ready from the first match. We will be well prepared to show form from the start.”

PSG’s president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi also spoke about the game ahead as well as the competition: “We do not have an easy draw but it’s the Champions League, we do everything we can to get ready. Real Madrid is a big club, we have a lot of respect for them, but we’re PSG, we need to prepare well for this match, it’s a good preparation for us, the goal is to go as far as possible.”

Zinedine Zidane’s pre-game thoughts:

Speaking ahead of the clash with the French champions, Zidane stated his respect for PSG as potential contenders for the competition: “Yes, PSG is one of the candidates to win the Champions League,” he continued highlighting the strength of their squad, even in the absence of their heralded front three: ” “Icardi is very good and has always proved it. He is a goal scorer, of course PSG are stronger with Neymar, Cavani & Mbappé.” The Frenchman also discussed the Champions League debut of Eden Hazard and how he could shape Real’s success: “Hazard has a lot of determination and ambition to do something big. Let Hazard settle and you’ll see what he can do.”

Head-to-head

PSG and Real Madrid have met a total of 7 times, the French side winning just the once to Real’s 5, with the teams sharing just the one draw. Paris have hosted Real twice before losing on both occasions, the most recent being in the 2017/18 season with Madrid winning 2-1.

Expected line-ups

PSG – Keylor Navas; Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Kimpembe, Juan Bernat; Gueye, Verratti, Herrera; Di Maria, Icardi, Sarabia

Real Madrid – Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Raphael Varane, Ferland Mendy; Casemiro, Toni Kroos, James Rodriguez; Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale