The match we have all been waiting for the past few months is upon us. The mega clash is replete with footballing excellence, resolute leadership, ethereal skills, and a sea of emotions. Grab your popcorn folks, it is PSG versus Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16.
There is a clear dichotomy between both these sides on various fronts right from the mode of ownership to the style of play. The match could turn out to be a humdinger of a contest. Here we look at the three individual battles that could be decisive across two legs.
1. Vinicius Junior versus Achraf Hakimi
The wonder boy Vinicius Jr. has turned a corner this season. Speed, acceleration, and trickery were always there in his armory. Adding goal scoring to his repertoire has turned him into an absolute nightmare for the defenders.
He will be up against Real Madrid academy product Achraf Hakimi. After helping Inter win an elusive Seria A title, Hakimi moved to PSG for a whopping 70 million Euros. In the words of his teammate Kylian Mbappe, Hakimi has been the best right-back in the world. And this statement does not look like a long shot.
Hakimi’s searing pace can be a calamity for the defenses. Combine that with his sweet right foot and we get the perfect wing-back. The only issue with his gung ho approach is that he is out of position quite often. This is where Vini thrives.
Vini has the capability of destroying the defenses that offer him even an iota of space. This has transformed Real Madrid into a fearsome counter-attacking team. Hakimi has his task cut out against Vini on Tuesday.
Another underrated aspect where Vini has proven to be invaluable to the team has been his defensive interventions. He is quick to track back and help Mendy tidy up the defense. In contrast, PSG wing-backs are isolated since neither of the preferred front three is interested in defensive duties. This could however change if Pochettino decides to start Angel Di Maria on the right-wing.
We have a mouthwatering battle on our hands on the left-wing. With both these players able to clock speed upwards of 36 Km/h, the fans are sure to satiate their need for speed.
2. Kylian Mbappe versus Dani Carvajal
Kylian Mbappe had to stay put at PSG after the never-ending transfer saga couldn’t find a conclusion last summer. Despite that, he will have a chance to showcase his skills at the Santiago Bernabeu this season. And the man who is tasked to stop him will be Dani Carvajal.
Carvajal has had a tough couple of seasons full of injuries. When fit he is not only defensively sound but a bonafide presence in offense. However, his main objective on Tuesday will be to contain Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe poses the biggest threat to Real Madrid’s defense without a doubt. His explosiveness and speed can leave defenders squandering. Carvajal will have to be positionally precise. Mbappe can run the wing-backs ragged with his searing acceleration. Carvajal will find himself in 1v1 situations quite often which will make or break the scoreline of the match.
Ironically one upside of facing Mbappe on the flanks is that he does not track back that often to aid his wing-back. If Carvajal exploits the space that Mbappe leaves then the right-wing suddenly becomes a productive flank for Real Madrid. Carvajal can not only put incisive crosses into the box but also play short passes towards the edge of the box.
Mbappe has faced Real thrice- twice in the 2018 Champions League round of 16 and once in the group stages of the 2019-20 edition. On all these occasions Carvajal has been able to limit his impact. But Mbappe is a different beast now. He is more direct and clever whereas Carvajal is not in his pomp.
Nevertheless, it promises to be a riveting battle on that flank, one which could well decide the outcome of the tie. Will Mbappe triumph in his final battle against Real Madrid or the wily old fox Carvajal get the better of him?
3. Lionel Messi versus Casemiro
Lionel Messi may have shifted bases in the summer, yet his battles with Real Madrid continue. He has been a perpetual thorn in the flesh for Real Madrid. 26 goals, 14 assists, and two hattricks against Real Madrid is an outstanding record. Yet over the past few seasons, Madrid’s defense has been able to diffuse his impact. Ironically Messi has an equal number of goals as Cristiano Ronaldo in the El Clasico since Ronaldo left Real Madrid – Zero.
A major reason for his relative ineffectiveness versus Real Madrid in the last few years is down to one man: Casemiro. He follows Messi like a shadow no matter where he goes on the field. Casemiro’s tackles and ball interceptions have often made life difficult for Messi who likes to roam around the pitch with freedom.
A similar dogged effort is required from the best defensive midfielder in the world to stop Lionel Messi. Even though Messi’s performances in Paris are no way near his usual best, he possesses a threat. There is no denying the genius of Messi even as a rival fan.
After an inconsistent start to the season, Casemiro has started looking his usual self in the past few games. His on-ball skills are still dodgy. But we cannot discount the solidity he brings to the side. There is no better player in the world than Case who can hide in plain sight whenever he is on a second yellow card. Such deception is mandatory from Casemiro as he is on four yellow cards and will miss the next leg if he is given yellow once again.
The match on Tuesday will be a test for both veterans. Messi will look to exploit any chink in Real Madrid’s defense to assist Mbappe. On the other hand, Casemiro will look to shun Messi and keep him out of the equation to suffocate the PSG attack. A fascinating battle awaits.