3 things that must happen for a Real Madrid comeback vs. PSG in the Champions League
Anyone witnessing the Champions League round of 16 encounter at the Parc des princes on 15th February would have found it hard to believe that the team playing in whites are 13 times European Champions and the current La Liga leaders. Not only that, they possess a multitude of superstars capable of winning matches on their own. Such was the dismalness and timidity that emanated out of Real Madrid‘s 1-0 loss to PSG.
Real Madrid was brutally outclassed against PSG. Kylian Mbappe ran the show scoring a late winner in the 94th minute to put the tie in PSG’s favor. Real Madrid looked all out of sorts unable to get out of their half. Midfield was outrun, the defense overwhelmed and the attack isolated.
Yet the scoreline is just 1-0 whereas, in reality, it felt like a mauling akin to a 3-0 or 4-0 loss. We return to the Santiago Bernabeu with our heads dropped but alive nonetheless. This is Real Madrid, and the players will have the opportunity to defend the badge.
Here are three things that must happen for a Real Madrid comeback in the second leg.
1. Stop Kylian Mbappe!
Well, it is as simple as that. Kylian Mbappe was a thorn in the bush for the Real Madrid defense especially poor old Dani Carvajal. In my match preview, I mentioned Mbappe vs Carvajal as a decisive match-up, and it proved to be that case.
Mbappe was too hot to handle for Carvajal on his own as he received little help from Asensio. If not for Militao’s timely interventions the scoreline could have been much worse. Real Madrid must contain Mbappe to have any hope of a comeback.
Carvajal alone will not handle Mbappe’s explosiveness. Whoever plays on the right-wing must offer solid support. With Casemiro missing the game, there are a lot of probable lineups that Carlo can go for. Valverde is expected to start in the midfield. However, Ancelotti can also deploy Camavinga as a no.6 and leave the right-wing to Valverde in place of Asensio, who can also slot into the midfield to suffocate Veratti co.
In any case, whoever plays on the right-wing will have to be vigilant. Real Madrid cannot afford to give Mbappe space to run which he had ample in the first leg. Neither can they press half-heartedly that will allow PSG to break on a counter which makes Mbappe all the more devastating.
In a nutshell, it will be a challenge that defines the outcome of the tie. Some Real Madrid fans have found consolation in the defeat. They resigned to the fact that they lost the match to a player who will soon be theirs. Trust me there will be no better way to show Mbappe what he is missing by going hard at him and scripting a comeback to win the tie.