Defending champion Real Madrid will host PSG at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 of 2017/18 on Thursday (15/2). Madrid is often perform disappointing on the domestic stage this season, but PSG should not be careless.
After being eliminated in the Copa del Rey, 17 points behind leaders Barcelona in La Liga, Madrid is required not to make the same mistake in Europe. In other words, the Champions League is the last hope of Los Blancos to restore their reputation and big name.
Together with coach Zinedine Zidane, Madrid won the last two editions of the Champions League and are now eyeing a champions hattrick. However Zidane is now unsafe from the threat of dismissal. Victory over PSG is believed to be a little less pressure.
Madrid must remember, PSG is not an easy opponent. Escaped as group winners with a record 25 goals is one indication of their strength. Behind the sharpness of PSG, there are trident Edinson Cavani, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, who scored 16 of his team's 25 goals.
Only, Madrid also can not be underestimated. The Champions League is like their habitat.
Finis ranked two under Tottenham did make it difficult Madrid avoid heavy opponents in the round of 16 large. However, if viewed from a different point of view, maybe PSG is the less fortunate because the draw draws them together with the record holder of 12 titles.
What's more, Madrid still has Cristiano Ronaldo. The all-time top scorer of the Champions League became the first player to score in six group phase matches. He is also top scorer group phase this season with nine goals.
Players stoned against the most vicious team for the affairs of breaking the opponent's goal. That is one interesting side of the big match at the Bernabeu.
PLAYER PLAY ESTIMATION
Madrid (4-3-3): Navas; Marcelo. Ramos, Varane, Nacho; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale.
Info skuat: Luca Zidane (injured), Jesus Vallejo (injured), Dani Carvajal (suspension), Dani Ceballos (doubtful).
PSG (4-3-3): Areola; Kurzawa, Silva, Marquinhos, Alves; Rabiot, Celso, Verratti; Neymar, Cavani, Mbappe.
Info skuat: Edinson Cavani (doubtful).
HEAD TO HEAD
28-07-2016 Madrid 1-3 PSG (ICC)
04-11-2015 Madrid 1-0 PSG (UCL)
22-10-2015 PSG 0-0 Madrid (UCL)
02-01-2014 PSG 0-1 Madrid (Friendly)
28-07-2013 Madrid 1-0 PSG (Friendly).
5 LAST MATCHES OF MADRID
21-01-2018 Madrid 7-1 Deportivo (La Liga)
25-01-2018 Madrid 1-2 Leganes (Copa del Rey)
27-01-2018 Valencia 1-4 Madrid (La Liga)
04-02-2018 Levante 2-2 Madrid (La Liga)
11-02-2018 Madrid 5-2 Sociedad (La Liga).
5 LAST GAME PSG
27-01-2018 PSG 4-0 Montpellier (Ligue 1)
31-01-2018 Rennes 2-3 PSG (Coupe de La Ligue)
03-02-2018 Lille 0-3 PSG (Ligue 1)
07-02-2018 Sochaux 1-4 PSG (Coupe de France)
10-02-2018 Toulouse 0-1 PSG (Ligue 1).
PREDICTION SCORES
In his last 15 games in all competitions, PSG only lost once. The rest, 14 matches, they traverse with victory. That includes the winning streak in the last six.
But Madrid has also been heating up the engine for this fight. Last weekend, Madrid beat Sociedad 5-2, where Ronaldo carved a hat-trick and an assist.
According to UEFA.com stats, PSG has never lost in the first leg party of the last 16 (M4 S1). Madrid have the capacity to break the record of the PSG.