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Real Madrid: 3 players to watch against PSG

By Ali Al Hassan

Real Madrid, Eden Hazard (Photo by Manu Reino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Real Madrid, Eden Hazard (Photo by Manu Reino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) /
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Expectations are high for Real Madrid in the Champions League this year, and these three players must shine on Wednesday in the tournament opener against PSG.

Real Madrid prepare to take part in their favorite competition as their journey this season begins on the road against Paris Saint-Germain. The league season hasn’t completely gone to plan, but they come into this game knowing that things are always different when you play in the UEFA Champions League.

Los Blancos have made quite a few changes over the summer, and it will be interesting to see how they line up on Wednesday night against the strongest rivals in their group. As a collective, Los Merengues have to perform and stay on their game plan for the full 90 minutes if they don’t want to suffer against a strong PSG side, but there are three players that you’ll have to keep your eye on that can really make a difference in the match.

1. Eden Hazard

After returning from injury, Eden Hazard was finally able to make his official debut earlier this week as a substitute against Levante. He had some good touches and could have possibly found his name on the score sheet but his mind would has now shifted as he knows that the best way to introduce himself to Real Madrid is in their favorite competition and against their biggest opponents in the group stages.

Hazard is expected to start, and he’ll know that all eyes will be on him to make a difference, which is something he is definitely able to do. The Belgian relishes this type of pressure, and it’s finally time for us to see our biggest signing of the summer in action.

VILLAREAL, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 01: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Liga match between Villarreal CF and Real Madrid CF at Estadio de la Ceramica on September 01, 2019 in Villareal, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
VILLAREAL, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 01: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Liga match between Villarreal CF and Real Madrid CF at Estadio de la Ceramica on September 01, 2019 in Villareal, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /

2. Gareth Bale

After a whirlwind of a summer transfer window, Gareth Bale found himself staying at Real Madrid against all odds and if that wasn’t surprising enough, the Welshman started the first three matches of the league campaign and only missed the match against Levante because he was suspended. Bale was on form since the first minute of the league and has proven that he can be an integral part of the squad, which is something that Zidane definitely agrees with now.

I expect to see him starting against PSG and this could be the match that will either bring many of the fans closer to him or push them further away. He has done quite well against Celta Vigo, Real Valldolid, and Villarreal. However, PSG is a different beast, and he’ll want to show just how important he could be to this team. With Bale on one side and Hazard on the other, anything is possible, especially with an in-form Karim Benzema leading the line.

Real Madrid’s Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois gestures during the Spanish League football match between Celta Vigo and Real Madrid at the Balaidos Stadium in Vigo on August 17, 2019. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP) (Photo credit should read MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP/Getty Images)
Real Madrid’s Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois gestures during the Spanish League football match between Celta Vigo and Real Madrid at the Balaidos Stadium in Vigo on August 17, 2019. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP) (Photo credit should read MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP/Getty Images) /

3. Thibaut Courtois

Going against the team that now have the legendary Keylor Navas will probably give Thibaut Courtois a chance to show his worth at the club. Unfortunately for him, he has been unable to keep a clean sheet this season with some of the goals conceded harshly blamed on him. However, if you can’t keep a clean sheet since March of last season, then you will rightfully get a lot of the blame.

The Belgian goalkeeper will need to ignore all the criticism coming his way and begin focusing on getting the Real Madrid fans on his side with many still loyal to Keylor Navas and/or against the idea of Courtois being the Real Madrid starter. There is no denying his abilities, but he has to show them once again and with time, he surely will. I just hope that it isn’t too late.

Next. Three Takeaways from Real's win over Levante. dark

4. Honorable Mention – Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane prepares to take charge of his first UEFA Champions League match since his return as the last one he was on the sidelines for was in the 3-1 win against Liverpool where Los Blancos carried the trophy for a third consecutive time. Now, he starts from scratch but he knows exactly what it takes to go far in this competition and especially with the players that he has as most of them are still there and have gone through this journey with him.

The Frenchman has returned in order to bring trophies back to the club and he knows that the past can be forgotten by many Real Madrid fans if he fails to change things at this club. He’s aware of what he got himself into and now it’s time to watch as he attempts to win the trophy yet again.

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