Unlike the last two years in the Champions League round of 16, Real Madrid will be tested right away. The last two seasons, Los Blancos have face AS Roma and Napoli in the first knockout round of the tournament. This year, they will face one of the best team’s in the world right now. Paris Saint-Germain.
No, this was not an ideal draw for the two-time defending champions. As former Madrid favorite, Xabi Alonso, unfolded the paper revealing Real Madrid would face Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Edinson Cavani in the round of 16, many Madridistas’ hearts dropped.
Of the six teams Madrid could face in the first knockout stage of the tournament, PSG and Manchester City were the two that many fans were concerned with. And understandably so.
Paris Saint-Germain have been one of the best teams in the world this season as they lead the French league by 9 points with 14 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss thus far.
In the Champions League, the side from the French capital has been even more dominant, winning 5 of their 6 group stage matches while scoring 25 goals (a UCL group stage record) and allowing just 4.
One thing is immediately clear when watching PSG play, they have incredible talent and pace up front, a solid midfield that can not only provide support on the attack, but can also lock down a match if needed.
However, the good news for Real Madrid fans when going into this matchup is that there is a formula to beat this team. Bayern Munich laid out a nice blueprint as to how to take down Neymar and company, winning 3-1 at home in the last group stage match.
It was the man who drew the two teams to face each other, Alonso, who voiced his confidence in Real Madrid’s chance against Paris. “Madrid like big challenges and they got just that. It will be a wonderful challenge against Paris,” the former Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder said.
“It is one of those games that you really like, and that those who go to the Bernabéu like to see. It is tough to say who might be favorites, even though that means nothing at the end of the day. I am backing Madrid.”
Unlike Alonso, Real Madrid fans on Twitter did not react the same way. Here’s what some of them had to say:
Now there’s a good reason to travel to Paris, PSG & Real Madrid play on Valentine’s Day 💯
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) December 11, 2017
nice draw
— Toni Kroos (@ToniKroos) December 11, 2017
The emotions are all over the place. But, there is little doubt this will be a fantastic tie with two of the biggest teams in Europe going toe-to-toe for two matches.
This is the first time the two teams have met in competitive play since they were paired in the same Champions League group in 2015. The two teams drew 0-0 in Paris in the first fixture before Real Madrid managed a close 1-0 win in Madrid.
The first leg of the tie will take place February 14th in Madrid with the second leg taking place March 6th in Paris.
Next: Real Madrid 5 – 0 Sevilla: Player Ratings from Madrid’s huge win