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Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund lock horns at the Parc des Princes in a mouth-watering clash on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg. The German giants produced a brilliant result in the return tie nearly a fortnight ago as an Erling Haaland brace handed them a much-needed lead going into the decider in the French capital. However, PSG still have the crucial away goal in their bag which has delicately balanced this tie.
Due to unforeseen circumstances regarding the recent coronavirus outbreak, the match will be played behind close doors as ordered by UEFA and the Paris police officials. Other Champions League knock-out games like the one between Atalanta and Valencia will also take place at a fan-less Mestalla Stadium on Tuesday.
There is no doubt that both Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund possess some of the world’s most talented players, each of whom will be fighting and battling to come out on top on what is the biggest footballing stage in Europe. Therefore, in this section, we will create a combined XI featuring the best players from both star-studded outfits.
Goalkeeper: Keylor Navas
Significantly more experienced than his Borussia Dortmund counterpart Roman Burki, Keylor Navas is one of world football’s best shot-stoppers. The Costa Rican keeper is a three-time Champions League winner and one-time Spanish champion with Real Madrid.
Having joined the French champions in a swap deal with Alphonse Areola going the other way, Navas has been revolutionary in goal this season, keeping 16 clean-sheets in all competitions. And the 33-year-old will look to have an excellent game between the sticks in order to keep the likes of Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland at bay.
Defenders: Hakimi, Zagadou, Hummels, Guerreiro
Right-back: Achraf Hakimi
The Borussia Dortmund right-back has turned heads not only in France but across Europe after his stunning performances this season. The Real Madrid loanee is defensively solid as well as extremely potent going forward. His 7 goals and 10 assists in all competitions this season are the best by any right-back in the top five European leagues.
In the first leg, Hakimi was a constant menace for the Paris Saint-Germain defenders, taking up attacking spaces and exchanging dangerous passes with the forwards. He will look to continue doing the same in the return fixture but will also have to deal with a certain Neymar Jr.
Centre-back: Dan-Axel Zagadou
With Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Thiago Silva out injured for the crunch tie on Wednesday, Dan-Axel Zagadou deserves a place in this prestigious line-up. The 20-year-old has been stealing all the spotlight in the Borussia Dortmund defence with his impressive performances week-in week-out.
The French defender primarily plays on the left side of the three-man backline in Lucien Favre’s set-up. Extremely confident, imposing and commanding on the ball, the youngster started out his career in the Paris Saint-Germain academy before switching for the German outfit. Zagadou will hope to shut down the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in what will be a testing day for him in the Parisian capital.
Centre-back: Mats Hummels
Borussia Dortmund will never be the same once their vice-captain Mats Hummels announces his farewell. The German centre-back had been an excellent servant for the club ever before his controversial switch to Bayern Munich three years ago. The 31-year-old has had an illustrious career consisting of a World Cup trophy, five Bundesliga titles and a Champions League runners-up medal. Having rejoined the Bundesliga heavyweights again at the start of this season, Hummels will once again marshal his troops against Paris Saint-Germain as they look to qualify for the next round.
Left-back: Raphael Guerreiro
Although Dan-Axel Zagadou has been stealing all the spotlight in the Borussia Dortmund defence, Raphael Guerreiro’s contributions on the left-flank often go unnoticed. The Portuguese high-flyer is an extremely versatile player who is equally adept in attack and defence.
The 26-year-old has slotted in at left-back, left wing-back and as a left-sided front-man whenever called upon. He currently has 5 goals and 2 assists in 20 Bundesliga appearances whilst also featuring in every Champions League game so far. Guerreiro will have a job on his hands if Kylian Mbappe plays on the right-hand side but he has the ability to halt the marauding Frenchman.
Midfielders: Marquinhos, Witsel
Central-midfielder: Marquinhos
Paris Saint-Germain’s deputy captain Marquinhos cannot be omitted from this line-up due to his sheer defensive prowess and leadership qualities. The Brazilian has been one of world football’s best defenders over the past few years and, at just 25 years of age, has a long career ahead of him.
Marquinhos is an extremely intelligent, versatile and skilful player who can play as a centre-back or as a central defensive midfielder. He thrives on playing out from the back when deployed in defense but does not shy away from lunging into a tackle. In midfield, he can spray passes left, right and centre and provide a shield for Marco Verratti, who is suspended for the tie, to play higher up the pitch.
Central-midfielder: Axel Witsel
Borussia Dortmund’s midfield general Axel Witsel will definitely play an important role in nullifying the Paris Saint-Germain attackers on Wednesday. The 31-year-old Belgian has slowly become one of the most influential players in Lucien Favre’s team with his defensive diligence, work-rate and attacking threat.
He has consistently performed for the Black and Yellow in the Bundesliga as well as the Champions League, recently clocking 50 appearances in the German top-flight. Witsel has also been a regular face in Roberto Martinez’s Belgium set-up which showcases his reliability and dependability.
Forwards: Sancho, Neymar, Mbappe, Haaland
Right-winger: Jadon Sancho
Borussia Dortmund’s in-form winger Jadon Sancho had an excellent first leg at the Signal Iduna Park terrorising the Paris Saint-Germain backline with his pace, directness and link-up play. The 19-year-old Englishman has been one of the Bundesliga's top performers this campaign with an astonishing tally of 14 goals and 16 assists in just 23 appearances.
He also has two goals and two assists in the Champions League. Sancho is primed to be an integral part of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad and he will look forward to boosting his increasing stock as one of world football’s best young players with another stellar performance on Wednesday.
Left-winger: Neymar
Paris Saint-Germain’s poster boy Neymar will look to produce an inspiring performance in the French giants’ do-or-die clash against Borussia Dortmund. Despite his injury troubles and suspensions, the Brazilian has managed a remarkable 13 goals and 6 assists in the French top-flight.
However, he only has two in the Champions League and will look to add on that against the visiting Germans. The 28-year-old equalised proceedings in the first leg before Haaland’s long-range effort sunk Parisian hearts. Fans from around the world will look forward to seeing Neymar showcase some of the brilliance he is so fondly known for.
Striker: Kylian Mbappe
Paris Saint-Germain’s most reliable attacking outlet is their 21-year-old star-striker Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman had a quiet game at the Signal Iduna Park but will look to get back his attacking mojo at home on Wednesday.
Mbappe has an eyebrow-raising 23 goal contributions in 20 Ligue 1 appearances. He has also scored five times in Europe this term. Whilst everyone’s eyes will be on Neymar, Kylian Mbappe could run the show in this must-win encounter for the Champions League-thirsty Parisians.
Striker: Erling Haaland
Man of the Match from the first leg, Erling Haaland will look to leave his mark in the return fixture at the Parc des Princes as well. The Norwegian sensation has had an unimaginable start to life in Germany with 9 Bundesliga goals already in 8 appearances.
The former Salzburg man scored 8 Champions League goals with the Austrian outfit and his brace against Paris Saint-Germain took his tally to 10 for the campaign, only one behind top-scorer Robert Lewandowski. Haaland is already a Borussia Dortmund hero and his red-hot form does not look like evaporating any soon.
