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PSG will square off against Real Madrid on Tuesday in what is the most high-profile fixture of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
This is it. PSG roped in all those superstars during the summer transfer window with one goal in mind. Win the ever elusive Champions League title. They have been cruising in Ligue 1 but Tuesday's first leg encounter against Real Madrid will be a more credible test of their credentials.
PSG beat Rennes 1-0 in their latest outing while La Liga leaders Real Madrid played out a goalless draw against Villarreal. Both teams have Champions League aspirations and an array of world-class talent on their payroll. This is the kind of game that elevates Europe's elite competition.
Without further ado, let's take a look at PSG's possible lineup for the Champions League encounter against Real Madrid.
PSG Goalkeeper - Gianluigi Donnarumma
Gianluigi Donnarumma is tipped to start against Real Madrid over Keylor Navas. The Costa Rican goalkeeper was picked to guard the sticks in the Ligue 1 encounter against Rennes. Pochettino likes to alternate between his two world-class goalkeepers and the Italian is likely to get the nod here.
Right-back - Achraf Hakimi
This is a no-brainer. Achraf Hakimi has turned in back-to-back impressive performances since returning from international duty. He is the first-choice right-back for PSG and will be tasked with taking care of the tricky Vinicius Jr. It will be a very interesting battle to watch between two young and unrelenting individuals.
Hakimi will also undoubtedly want to impress against his former club.
Centre-back - Marquinhos
The PSG captain hasn't been at his very best in recent weeks but they can count on him to come up clutch in crucial games such as this one. Marquinhos has started every single one of PSG's Champions League games so far this season and he will be one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Centre-back - Presnel Kimpembe
With Sergio Ramos a doubt for the game, Presnel Kimpembe is likely to start alongside Marquinhos. Despite his obvious qualities on the ball, Kimpembe has looked shaky at the back on occasion. He will need to be on high-alert as he will be up against an in-form Karim Benzema and co.
Left-back - Nuno Mendes
Nuno Mendes has been one of the most exciting Paris Saint-Germain players to watch this season. The Portuguese international came on as a substitute against Rennes on Friday night and is certain to start here.
PSG Defensive Midfielder - Idrissa Gueye
Leandro Paredes turned in a rather lackluster performance against Rennes. He was ready for a scrap and was combative but failed to provide much else as the talented PSG midfield struggled to dictate play on Friday.
Idrissa Gueye is back after winning the African Cup of Nations with Senegal. His last game for PSG came all the way back in December against Lorient. Gueye was doing a solid job for the Parisians in defensive midfield before he left for international duty.
Pochettino will be happy to welcome Gueye back and he will have his work cut out against arguably the best midfield in all of Europe, consisting of Kroos, Modric and Casemiro.
Central midfielder - Georginio Wijnaldum
With Ander Herrera injured and Georginio Wijnaldum unfit to start, Pochettino played Julian Draxler in midfield against Rennes. He could hardly be spotted and was largely absent from the game. Draxler couldn't exert any control over proceedings and his decision-making in the final third was poor.
He was hooked halfway through the second half and his replacement Angel Di Maria immediately helped PSG get more aggressive and showed more urgency. With Wijnaldum fit to play, Pochettino will look for more stability in midfield and start the Dutchman alongside Idrissa Gueye.
Central midfielder - Marco Verratti
Marco Verratti is arguably PSG's most important player in big games such as these. Even though he was not supported adequately in midfield against Rennes, he put in a shift and was the primary playmaker for his side.
The Italian international's ball progression skills coupled with his technical prowess make him an undroppable member of the starting XI. Verratti made quite a few forays into the final third as well and provided ample support to the likes of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
The 29-year-old has been in good form of late and has been one of PSG's best players since the turn of the year.
Left winger - Kylian Mbappe
PSG were hoping to have Neymar Jr. back for the first leg against Real Madrid. The Brazilian international has been sidelined since late November with an ankle injury. But even though he is back in training, Pochettino will not want to make the mistake of rushing him and is likely to use him as an impact sub.
As a result, PSG's hero this season and also last week, Kylian Mbappe, will start down the left wing. The 23-year-old has been in irrepressible form of late. He has scored 21 goals and provided 16 assists in 31 appearances across all competitions so far this season.
Mbappe's blistering pace and trickery will force Dani Carvajal to be cautious. The Frenchman relishes big games as evidenced by his wonderful performances against Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the Champions League last season.
Centre-forward - Lionel Messi
Although Mauro Icardi will push for a start against Real Madrid, Pochettino is likely to deploy Lionel Messi down the middle. Messi seems to be finally finding his groove at PSG.
His ability to flit past defenders and make incisive passes in the final third helped carve out openings for PSG in their recent games against Lille and Rennes. The 34-year-old provided the assist for Mbappe's stoppage time winner against Rennes.
He has seven assists and three goals to his name in his last 10 games for Paris Saint-Germain. Messi will also want to prove himself once again against old enemies Real Madrid.
Right winger - Angel Di Maria
With Lionel Messi moved to the center, Angel Di Maria is the automatic pick for the role of right winger. The Argentinian international has a penchant for showing up for the big games. Even though he has not been at his best in recent weeks, Di Maria will want to turn in a solid performance against his former employers.
His performance as a substitute against Rennes is likely to nudge Pochettino to pick him as a starter against Real Madrid.
