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#3 Lionel Messi and Neymar’s sub-par performances
PSG forwards Neymar and Lionel Messi are expected to start in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie against Real Madrid.
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When on song, the duo can take apart any defense in the world. Sadly for the visitors, neither superstar has been able to produce match-winning displays on cue this season.
While Messi has struggled to find the back of the net (seven goals in 24 appearances), Neymar has spent most of the season nursing injuries. Without Mbappe darting through the middle, PSG’s attack looks rather toothless, which is worrying for the Ligue 1 outfit.
Madrid centre-backs David Alaba and Eder Militao have also been in imperious form this season, which could make life extra-difficult for the former Barcelona duo on Wednesday night.
#2 PSG’s poor domestic form
PSG have certainly been the best side in the French top-flight this season. However, that does not mean they have dominated every opponent or have been agonizingly unlucky in defeats. In reality, Mauricio Pochettino’s men have often looked quite mediocre, despite having some of the best players in the business at their disposal.
Since the start of the Ligue 1 campaign, Paris have lost three games, with the latest one coming against Nice on Saturday. Although they had both Neymar and Lionel Messi on the pitch, PSG struggled to provide clear-cut goalscoring opportunities.
Even when they did, their finishing has let them down. Ultimately, they conceded a late goal and could not find it in themselves to mount a comeback. The match ended in a 1-0 defeat for Pochettino’s players.
PSG’s poor domestic form was on show in the French Cup as well. In February, they crashed out of the competition against Nice, enduring a gut-wrenching defeat on penalties.
#1 Real Madrid’s Champions League pedigree
Real Madrid may not have a star-studded attack like PSG, but they have one crucial thing their French rivals don’t possess.
Having won the competition 13-times in their lifetime, Los Blancos know all there is to know about stepping up in big games.
The likes of Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Dani Carvajal have all won the title multiple times and tend to light up in do-or-die matches. Playing at home, Los Blancos will also benefit from the encouragement from fans, especially when pushing for a goal or defending crucial set-pieces.
Real Madrid have always had a knack for creating magical Champions League nights, and they’d certainly fancy themselves enjoying another successful outing this Wednesday.
