PSG vs Real Madrid UEFA Champions League 18/09/2019

PSG vs Real Madrid - Competition: UEFA Champions League
Date: 18 September 2019 - Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST
Venue: Parc des Princes

PSG have enjoyed a typically promising start to the new season in France. Thomas Tuchel's men have won 6 and lost 1 of their 7 competitive games so far, building up a 2 point lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table in the process. They only beat lowly visitors Strasbourg at the weekend with a 92nd-minute Neymar goal. Les Parisiens were knocking out in unbelievable fashion once again last year. 2-0 up after the first leg at Old Trafford and heavy favourites to go through against an unproven Manchester UTD side, they slumped out with a 3-1 defeat at the Parc des Princes sealed by a last-gasp penalty for the Red Devils. Two seasons ago, these two sides collided in the UCL round of 16, which saw Los Blancos winning 5-2 on aggregate on their way to the title. PSG have not lost a home group stage clash in the Champions League since 2004 with that run stretching over 21 matches.
Thomas Tuchel is also missing Neymar, with the Brazilian carrying over a three-game ban after his post-match reaction following PSG’s defeat to Manchester United in the round of 16 last season. Strikers Kylian Mbappe and Edison Cavani are sidelined. The German manager will also be without Julian Draxler, Thilo Kehrer and Colin Dagba, so new signing Mauro Icardi could make his debut from the off for the French side. The Inter Milan loanee should be supported by a trio of offensive midfielders - Angel Di Maria, Pablo Sarabia and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. The likes of Idrissa Gueye and Marco Verratti are likely to start in midfield, with Ander Herrera and Marquinhos viable alternatives. In defense, Abdou Diallo and Presnel Kimpembe are in contention for a starting berth as centre-back.

Real have remained unbeaten so far in their La Liga campaign. After winning their opening match, the Blancos recorded two consecutive draws. Valladolid denied them three points with an 88th-minute equaliser to cancel out Karim Benzema's late opener, and they were twice behind at Villarreal before grabbing a 2-2 draw. After the international break, Zinedine Zidane's men returned last weekend with a hard fought 3-2 victory over Levante at home. The Galacticos also exited the Champions League in disastrous fashion last season. Returning to the Bernabeu with a 2-1 lead from the first leg in Amsterdam, Zinedine Zidane watched his side capitulate against Ajax's young pretenders, who beat them 4-1.
Real Madrid team captain Sergio Ramos and Nacho, are suspended for the Paris match, meaning that Eder Militao will partner Raphael Varane at the heart of the back. Isco, Federico Valverde, Marco Asensio, and Luka Modric will also miss the match because of injuries. As a result, James Rodriguez should be safe to start for Zinedine Zidane's side. Up front, Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale are not 100% fit, meaning that Vinicius Junior and Lucas Vazquez are favoruite to flank Karim Benzema. Thibaut Courtois will hope to fend off competition from summer signing Alphonse Areola to start in goal.

PSG last 5 matches:

11/08/19 PSG 3 – 0 Nimes
18/08/19 Rennes 2 – 1 PSG
25/08/19 PSG 4 – 0 Toulouse
30/08/19 Metz 0 – 2 PSG
14/09/19 PSG 1 – 0 Strasbourg

Real Madrid last 5 matches:

11/08/19 Roma P 2 – 2 Real Madrid
17/08/19 Celta Vigo 1 – 3 Real Madrid
24/08/19 Real Madrid 1 – 1 Real Valladolid
01/09/19 Villarreal 2 – 2 Real Madrid
14/09/19 Real Madrid 3 – 2 Levante

PSG vs Real Madrid Starting Lineups

PSG (4-2-3-1): Navas; Meunier, Thiago Silva, Diallo, Kurzawa; Verratti, Gueye; Di Maria, Sarabia, Choupo-Moting; Icardi
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Eder Militao, Mendy; Casemiro, Rodriguez, Kroos; Vazquez, Vinicius, Benzema

 

Categories: UEFA Champions League