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#3 Luka Modric
Luka Modric has been one of the most consistent players at Real Madrid over the last decade or so. The central midfielder arrived from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012 and cemented his place as one of the best in the world in his position.
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Playing alongside Casemiro and Toni Kroos, Modric is the ball-progressor and playmaker among the midfield trio. The Croatian international might be 36 but he still has his wits about him. He can quickly change pace and get away from opponents but also control the tempo of the game through his slick passing skills.
The Spanish outfit are bound to keep most of the ball in the tie against PSG, since the French giants are more of a counter-attacking side. So the onus will be on the Croat to use the ball astutely when in possession.
The Ligue 1 club are a dangerous side in transition and Modric will need to be careful while retaining the ball in order to avoid getting his side into danger. Protection of the backline and creativity going forward will be in the hands of the lively playmaker.
#2 Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema is the talisman Real Madrid will be relying on in the Champions League this season, as they have since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018. The French international is currently one of the most lethal marksmen in world football.
Although a recent injury makes him a doubt for the tie against PSG, he apparently trained with the team on Sunday. If not in the starting XI, Benzema might come off the bench to make a difference in the all-important tie. While the first-leg might not decide the tie, one must not understate the value of being in the driving seat going into the second-leg.
Benzema is aware of the shaky PSG defense and will be more than happy to exploit it. The Parisians are not the worst at the back but there are chinks in their armor that the Real Madrid ace could target. His 24 goals and nine assists in 28 appearances across all competitions show how dangerous he could be if fit enough to start on Tuesday.
Regardless, Benzema will be focusing on getting match-fit before plotting how to score goals past the best team in Ligue 1 this season.
#1 Vinicius Junior
Vinicius Junior has come into his own at Real Madrid this season and has been one of the best wingers in Europe's top-five leagues. PSG may have their own Brazilian sensation in the form of Neymar but the Spanish club also have a genius out on the left side.
The South American star has developed into a fine attacker and is now one of the first names on Real Madrid's team sheet. But more importantly, he has turned into the player most fans thought Eden Hazard would be when the Belgian arrived for a £100million fee in 2019.
Vinicius is fast, direct and can now comfortably score without any hesitation, which was one of his major flaws in his early days at the club. The winger has scored 15 goals and provided 10 assists in 32 appearances. With Achraf Hakimi a more attack-minded full-back, the Real Madrid ace will be keen to exploit the empty spaces behind the PSG right-back.
PSG will be keen to get their hands on the Champions League trophy this season, a competition they are yet to win despite spending handsomely over the years. Vinicius could be the one to stop them from doing so as he looks to win his first European honor.
