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Bring out all the supporter hoods and grab yourself a pack of popcorn, as the UEFA Champions League returns for its round of 16 this week and brings an enticing encounter between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain at the former’s home - Santiago Bernabeu.
In what promises to be a colossal affair, both sides enter the fray with a lot at stake, as Les Parisiens look to break through the glass ceiling and finally lift the coveted big ears, whilst Madrid’s title hopes for the season depends solely on this two-legged tie for now.
When the sides clashed back in 2015, it was a low-key duel in the group stages as Los Blancos registered a tame 1-0 win against the run of play after a dour goalless stalemate in Paris. However, winds of change have blown over both sides, and this time around, it’ll be a very, very different prospect.
On that note, here are 5 things to consider ahead of the mouth-watering contest:
#5 Zinedine Zidane’s Marco Asensio-Gareth Bale conundrum
While sending out the best possible team would be on both the managers’ mind, Zidane may face a trickier selection with having to choose between an in-form Marco Asensio and a stellar figure in Gareth Bale. Both players are undoubtedly vital, but there’s place for only one in the starting XI. So who will be bestowed with a spot in the starting 11?
On one hand, you have Asensio regaining a rich vein of form of late, as evinced by his solid performance in the 5-2 drubbing of Real Sociedad at home.
The Spanish youngster started on the left side behind Cristiano Ronaldo and capped off another impressive display as his buccaneering runs down the channels bolstered Madrid’s attacking pelt. Asensio’s skilful trickery that led to the second goal in that game also highlighted his nimbleness in picking out defences.
Now, that can be a useful trait against a robust PSG as Los Merengues have also appeared faster and more fluid with him in the team than they have with Bale. The Welshman, on the other hand, has seen his season plagued with yet more bout of injuries and has laboured for the most part of his time on the field.
The only factor that holds him in a better stead to start on Wednesday against Asensio is that of glamour.
On the contrary, Asensio also brings speed and tenacity, something that’s absolutely imperative to counter PSG’s high-pressing. Zidane’s quandary lies in choosing between style and substance, although we very well know what’s likely to be chosen.
#4 PSG wary of poor record against Spanish sides
The only thing not in favour of Unai Emery’s side ahead of the epic clash is their history with Spanish teams. Of their last twelve encounters with a team hailing from the Iberian Peninsula in the UEFA Champions League, the Paris outfit has been victorious only thrice - a 2-1 win over Valencia in 2013, coupled with a pair of 3-2 and 4-0 victories over Barcelona in 2014 and 2017 respectively.
They’ve lost a total of five games in that run, including the momentous 6-1 defeat to the Blaugrana last year, that’s still vivid in the memory.
The tame 1-0 loss to the Whites in 2015 could be considered as mere bad luck, as the French giants had thoroughly outplayed their Madrid counterparts. But as a matter of fact, each of their last four trips to Spain has ended in a defeat.
So PSG’s overall record against Spanish remains woeful and that may provide the hosts with a slight psychological advantage on Wednesday.
#3 A majestic midfield battle
The last time the two sides met in the Spanish capital, PSG thoroughly dominated their Spanish rivals and most of it was down to a terrific midfield that rendered the hosts negated. A similar battle awaits in the latest encounter as well as a star-studded duel in on the cards in the centre of the park.
If PSG go by the traditional 4-3-3, the midfield pivot of Adrian Rabiot, Julian Draxler and Marco Veratti could all start again, however Angel Di Maria’s fine form in 2018 means he’s in the mix too, and stands a great chance to line-up against his former club ahead of Rabiot.
Madrid would see off with the usual Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro trident, else, they could switch to a 4-4-2 diamond and be joined by either Isco or Marco Asensio with Gareth Bale dropping to the bench.
Whatever the selection may be, it promises to be an interesting face-off. Given the attack-mindedness of both sides, it is imperative for the respective midfield phalanx to keep the juices flowing as a lot of the tie could be won or lost here.
#2 BBC vs MCN: A tale of two battering rams
Real Madrid’s attacking trident of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo has slackened off in the recent times, owing much to the former two’s recurring injuries. Whilst Bale continues to grapple with more concerns this season, Benzema has hit an all-time nadir in his career.
The Frenchman hasn’t scored in 9 league outings and has been guilty of missing numerous gilt-edged chances during the run.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who endured a dry spell of his own at the start, is slowly getting into the groove since the turn of the year, having netted 7 times so far. However, he needs his attacking allies to be on song to outgun the Parisians, who come with a more blistering attacking triumvirate of their own.
Meanwhile, Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe have forged a fearsome strike partnership that’s also the most prolific in Europe with 70 goals in all competitions this season. Cavani has successfully taken over the No.9 role from Ibrahimovic, whereas the summer arrivals have hit the ground running.
Whilst Mbappe continues to be the best young talent in Europe with 15 goals and 11 assists in all competitions, Neymar is busy fuelling his Ballon d’Or chances. The Brazilian, today, is a more threatening presence than in his Barcelona days and would relish the prospect of returning to the familiar surroundings of Bernabeu.
Watching the two stellar striking triads going head-to-head would be a feast to the eyes, and the more prolific of the two might just decide the fate of the tie.
#1 A lot riding on this for both sides
PSG, for all their star-studded squad, haven’t come up big at the European stage and have fallen to the traditionally mightier sides of the continent. But this time, they finally look like a side ready to contend for UEFA Champions League honour.
With a powerful unit that’s perfectly balanced on all fronts and been delivering consistently this term, the Parisians are at full throttle and boast arguably their strongest group of players in the recent memory.
They are no longer the dark horses, but in fact, one of the favourites. PSG wouldn’t get a better shot at European glory than this, and beating two-time defending champions Real Madrid would go a long way in fuelling those aspirations.
That brings us to the flip side of the story. The UEFA Champions League is the peg that Los Blancos have been hanging on to, for their La Liga and Copa del Rey hopes have long evaporated.
Even if they mathematically stand a chance to overhaul Barcelona in the domestic race, it also requires the Blaugrana to dramatically collapse. But even that seems far-fetched, which leaves Europe their only realistic place to find some silverware.
Evidently, the stakes are sky-high, even it’s only the first knock-out round of the competition.
