5 reasons why PSG will beat Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League and proceed at their expense

It is time! After a stunning first leg that definitely lived up to its hype, the heavyweight clash between Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germain is back for it's second and final edition. Parc Des Princes is the venue for this fight which has all the aspects to be a contender for the game of the season.

Real Madrid have won the first leg 3-1 courtesy of a brilliant cameo from Marco Asensio and a clinical brace from Cristiano Ronaldo. But playing at home in front of their own fans, you just cannot discard the mighty PSG.

In this segment, we will take a look at the five key reasons which make us believe that PSG will destroy Real Madrid in the second leg and proceed further at the champions' expense:

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#5 Angel Di Maria

Di Maria has the talent to haunt his former side

Many people have written the Parisians off in this tie because of the unfortunate injury that happened to Neymar a few days back which has put him out of contention for the rest of the season. But replacing him in the front three is Angel Di Maria who is in fine form of late and is desperate for a chance to impress after not being called upon (astonishingly) in the first leg.

Now, hear me out before you accuse me of comparing Neymar with Angel Di Maria. The Argentine may not possess the god gifted skills of Neymar but he is one helluva player. He scored in the weekend's win over Troyes and has been a breath of fresh air for Unai Emery's side. He has scored 17 goals in all competitions this campaign and is probably in the best shape of his career.

The winger also is a big match player and played the best game of his career at the very same stadium in a knockout game against FC Barcelona last season. PSG need a performance of that sort from Di Maria and he is capable of delivering on the biggest of stages.

Also, the added incentive of playing against your former side will aid Di Maria in proving his previous team wrong in letting him go. He was the man of the match when Real Madrid won La Decima in 2014 and he will be definitely up for the task against Ronaldo and co.

#4 Defensive issues still persist for Zidane and Madrid

Real Madrid have kept just two clean sheets in their last 15 matches

One of the major reasons for Real Madrid's poor run of form in La Liga this season has been their inability to shut shop and a lack of defensive stability. Despite having their entire backline fit for the majority of the games, it is intriguing to see as to why Madrid has struggled with their defensive aspect this campaign.

In the league, Real Madrid have shipped in 29 goals and in all competitions, they have kept just two clean sheets in their last 15 matches. That is not a good record for a side that has it's entire season's hope resting on winning the elusive Champions League.

The duo of Varane and Ramos struggle against pace and look susceptible against a side that approaches the game in a dynamic manner. Marcelo, who was one of the best players in the first leg, has been a defensive suspect and PSG will look to target his lack of positional sense at times.

#3 Real Madrid's midfield conundrum

Kroos and Modric are not expected to be 100% match fit for the second leg

There is a good chance that Luka Modric and Toni Kroos may not be passed match fit on the eve of the game and may have to start the game from the bench. The duo has trained with the team just once since the past week or so and will understandably be a bit off the pace in Paris.

Kroos and Modric are the heart of this Madrid team and without them or with them not being a 100% fit, Los Meringues will not possess the same predatory instinct. The other midfielders such as Isco or Matteo Kovacic may not prove to be as effective in such a high voltage game.

Meanwhile, PSG dominated the midfield cauldron in the first leg and the trio of Verratti, Rabiot and Celso worked well in tandem. They will be looking to assert themselves in the game with the home side having a more dynamic look to their midfield unit. Without Kroos and/or Modric, Madrid will definitely struggle and against a dynamic PSG midfield, this could prove to be the undoing for the visitors.

#2 Parc Des Princes- A fortress

Paris Saint-Germain have not lost at home once this season

3-0, 5-0 and 7-1. These were the score lines when PSG hosted the Champions League group games this season. This Paris outfit is a different animal when it comes to playing in their own backyard. A fact that will soon be experienced by Real Madrid.

Neymar or no Neymar, the Parisians will be confident going into the second leg with the support from their faithful right beside them. Real Madrid have themselves been solid on the road this season but they have not met as solid a side as PSG are at home.

In 19 home games this season, PSG have scored 76 goals. That comes down to an average of four goals per 90 minutes. Add it to the fact that Paris Saint Germain have not even drawn a single game at home, let alone losing it in any competition makes it even more difficult for Real Madrid. Surely, it doesn't get any more daunting than this for the title holders!

#1 Over-reliance on Cristiano Ronaldo

It all rests a bit too much on Ronaldo's shoulders

The Portuguese hitman having an indifferent start to the season has now become a distant memory. He recently netted his 300th La Liga goal with a brace against Getafe and also reached the tally of 30 goals this season. He leads the scoring charts in the Champions League with 11 goals this time around.

2018 has seen stellar performances from Ronaldo which is proved by the fact that in Real Madrid's last eight matches, the team has scored 25 goals as a unit. Ronaldo alone has scored 14 of them. From his point of view, it's a brilliant achievement that he is back among the goals and winning the games for his side with his astute positioning in the 18-yard box.

But this can also prove to be Real Madrid's undoing against PSG. Ronaldo is the biggest goal source for Madrid and if he is kept quiet on the night or has a bad day at the office then expect the visitors to have a torrid time in Paris.

Bale and Benzema cannot be trusted to bail them out of tough spots and hence this over-reliance on Cristiano Ronaldo may well work in the favour of PSG. A relatively silent Ronaldo (than in Europe) has cost Madrid the league this season and if he is kept quiet in Paris, the same fate can happen to Real Madrid in the Champions League.