PSG 0-0 Real Madrid: 5 Talking Points

European heavyweights Paris St.Germain and Real Madrid shared the spoils at Parc de Princes in a top billing clash as both sides cancelled each other out in an end-to-end game that failed to produce any goals at either end of the field. Plagued with a raft of injuries to key players, Los Blancos came into the game depleted but managed to hold out the attacking stars of Les Parisians with Angel di Maria lining up to face his former club for the first time since leaving for Manchester United in June 2014.However, the visitors had problems of their own on the offensive front as the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jese Rodriguez fluffed their lines and could have secured all three points had they been more clinical with their chances. With both sides counterweighing each other in every department, the match deservedly ended with the French and Spanish giants claiming a point each to keep the top spot in group A very much in contention.Here are the major talking points from the high-profile clash in the French capital.

#1 Vigilance takes precedence over creativity

With both sides restraining from pushing forward, PSG and Real Madrid opted for a counter-attacking policy that quite never really hit off. Cautious of the threat coming from the opposing attacks, the two teams tried to counter at every given opportunity and gave possession a secondary status.

The outcome was a real lack of quality in the final third, with chances being created at a premium. Los Blancos were at the receiving end of two gilt-edged chances to find the breakthrough when Isco went one-on-one with Kevin Trapp and Ronaldo trying to meet an inch-perfect cross from Marcelo. But neither were able to take their respective opportunities.

After a relatively quiet first half, Les Rouge-et-Blue began to find their footing in the game in the second half, but did not produce anything eye-catching. The attacking duo of Cavani and Ibrahimovic failed to conjure anything substantial and appeared rather dormant for large spells of the game.

Defence seemed to be the main priority for both sides, especially Real Madrid who caught their opponents offside time and again.

#2 Real Madrid youths play a blinder

With Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez all absent from the trip, manager Rafael Benitez pinned his hopes on the young guns of the team. The likes of Danilo and Raphael Varane were a part of the defensive phalanx, whereas Isco and Casemiro manned the midfield with Toni Kroos. Supporting Ronaldo from the wings were Jese Rodriguez and Lukas Vazquez, thereby summing up the youthful squad thrown to face the might of the Ligue 1 champions.

Against a team that comprises of some stellar names such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani, Angel Di Maria, Marco Verratti and Thiago Silva, with years of experience in every entity of their flesh, one would expect them to saunter their way to a win. However, the next-gen Real Madrid stars really stepped up to the plate and pulled off a blinder.

Varane forged a terrific partnership with Sergio Ramos to deny PSG’s fierce strike force while Danilo made an encouraging return to the fold after a long injury lay-off. Casemiro pulled the strings with great elan while also providing a security blanket to the backline. Isco contributed heavily in attack while Jese and Vazquez caused some serious problems to the PSG rearguard on the wings.

Despite the odds stacked against them, the Meringues matched shoulder-to-shoulder with a fit and firing PSG team, much of which was down to a splendid showing from their youth.

#3 Rafa Benitez plays it smart

Wary of the potency posed by the hosts, manager Rafael Benitez implemented a defensive approach to stifle PSG’s attack. And while his opposite number in the dugout Laurent Blanc had other plans, forcing the visitors onto the front foot and try to hit them at the break, the astute Spanish head-honcho did not fall into that trap. Instead, he stuck to his defensive scheme and limited his side’s threat only on counter.

The tactical rigidity although impeded Ronaldo the time and possession to create anything substantial in the final third. But the approach bore dividends as they claimed a point despite fielding a weakened side.

Such kind of tactical acumen makes Benitez one of the most tactically flexible managers out there, and showed that he can keep his side going no matter how tough the going gets.

#4 Serge Aurier shines for a glum PSG side

PSG right-back Serge Aurier was perhaps the sole shining light for an otherwise gloomy home side as he put on a tremendous shift in the full-back position. The Ivorian youngster had slotted himself seamlessly in the French champions’ lineup this season after his permanent move from domestic rivals Toulouse. And he rose to the biggest of occasions for PSG.

Aurier marked his opposite numbers closely on the right and threw himself into the thick of the things when the tides turned against them. He tried to have a say even in the attack with his lightening fast runs down the flanks and provided an edge to PSG’s attack that appeared far too lax.

His performances in the domestic games has already drawn rave reviews, but his performance against an opposition like Real Madrid has surely left the fans and pundits alike singing his praises.

#5 Luka Modric\'s return a boost for Real Madrid

Real Madrid midfield maestro Luka Modric sustained a calf injury while on international duty with Croatia last week and was only deemed fit enough to start on the bench for the difficult tie. The habile playmaker made an appearance in only the 69th minute of the game, but his timely return is a huge boost for the side who have dangerous ties lined up in the coming weeks.

Replacing Isco midway through the seocnd half, Modric joined Kroos at the centre of the park, a sight that would have surely welcomed by the fans. Although the 28-year-old graced the Parc de Princes for a mere 20 minutes, he showed promise, delivering a decent showing on his return.

With games against Celta Vigo, PSG again and Sevilla in the pipeline, Modric’s presence in the middle will always give the Whites a lease of life, and the side may already be feeling the same after his return.