Defining Champions League Night in Paris

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06/03/18

Defining Champions League Night in Paris

The 2017/18 Champions League final would have welcomed a match between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. However, it wasn’t to be and the teams meet in the second leg of their round of 16 tie on Tuesday night to decide who will progress to the quarter-final.

The result of this game could have huge bearings on the future of both clubs. If Paris Saint-Germain fail to overturn the 3-1 deficit from the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, it may be Unai Emery’s last match in charge of the team.

If Real Madrid are turned over and eliminated from the Champions League, their season will be over in early March and that is simply not good enough for a club of their stature. Zinedine Zidane will be fully aware his job is on the line at the Parc des Princes.

Paris Saint-Germain come into this match having taken another step towards the Ligue 1 title on the weekend, defeating Troyes 2-0 away from home. It is very unlikely they are going to be caught at the top of the table.

In the Champions League this season, Paris Saint-Germain have lost two matches, both of which came away from home at the giants of European football. The first loss was in the group stage against Bayern Munich and the second was the first leg of this tie in Madrid.

However, Paris Saint-Germain have a good recent record at home in the Champions League and have won each of their last four matches by a score good enough to take them through this tie. Included in those victories is a 4-0 win over Barcelona and 3-0 win over Bayern Munich.

Real Madrid travel to France having defeated Getafe 3-1 at home on Saturday. The La Liga title is seemingly out of reach for Zidane this season and the success of their campaign boils down to this competition.

Los Blancos produced an excellent comeback in the home leg and having gone 1-0 down, Real Madrid fought back to win the match 3-1 and give themselves a 2-goal cushion heading into this second leg.

Real Madrid have enjoyed some good recent away wins in the Champions League, including a 3-1 win at Napoli, 2-1 win at Bayern Munich and 3-1 win at Borussia Dortmund. They have also tasted a couple of defeats, going down 2-1 at Atletico Madrid last season and 3-1 at Tottenham Hotspur in this Champions League campaign.

Looking at the team news and Paris Saint-Germain have been dealt a big blow with the loss of Neymar. The Brazilian has 6 goals in the Champions League this season, making him their joint top scorer. Marquinhos and Kylian Mbappe are doubtful but should recover in time for the match.

Real Madrid are waiting on the fitness of midfield duo Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, neither of whom played on the weekend. They are key players for Real Madrid and to have them both available would be a massive boast.

This is going to be a high pressured, thrilling game of football. Real Madrid have the advantage and with Neymar missing for the hosts, even if they come away with a narrow defeat, it will good enough to send them through.

Expect Real Madrid get a goal and one goal could be enough to see them progress, even if they lose the game.