The wait is coming to its final stages as both Real Madrid and PSG have played their three games since they last met at Paris to play out the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 ties. The game ended in a 1-0 scoreline favoring the hosts. Target-man Kylian Mbappe was again on target as he finally got the better of Real Madrid’s star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois within injury time.
While the scoreline makes it look much closer than it really was, Real Madrid fans would know how embarrassing that performance was from the club. But, Real Madrid is a club with a lot of character and their history is full of famous European comebacks. The team looked fresh in their recent 4-1 thrashing of Real Sociedad at the White House. And, I believe in them to come back and turn that one-goal deficit into an aggregate score favoring them to eliminate PSG in mid-week. Here are three reasons to explain why this is very possible.
3. A massive confidence boost from a big-game performance
Both Real Madrid and PSG have played three games in their respective leagues since they last met in Paris and it is easy to say that Real Madrid is the team in better touch among the two. While Real Madrid won all three games, PSG lost two of their last three including the very last game against OGC Nice, a game where Kylian Mbappe was rested. And, even though PSG started a strong enough team with Neymar Jr., Lionel Messi, and Angel Di Maria starting in the attacking trident they couldn’t find a way to score.
Real Madrid on the other hand is coming on the backdrop of one of their best performances in the recent games. A 4-1 thrashing of Real Sociedad at home, a comeback victory at that. Also, a game that included two absolute golazos from the old guard and the future of Real’s midfield, Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga.
Camavinga is expected to start the game keeping in mind Carlos Casemiro’s suspension. And, if he keeps up the form from the game against La Real, things could look up for him and Real Madrid. The same can also be said for the two other midfielders expected to start. While Luka Modric dropped a masterclass in the weekend, Fede Valverde who is set to replace Toni Kroos was a star in February with serial solid performances.
Karim Benzema has looked much more like the player he is and has stacked up three goals and three assists in the last three games. Benzema’s fitness was a major problem while venturing forward for Real Madrid in the first leg. In the second leg, things would be different as the Striker King himself has looked in fine touch. And I cannot stress this any further, it is absolutely pivotal for Benzema to be playing well for Real Madrid to win this game. He is the one who leads the pack and links everything up. He makes players like Vinicius Junior play better when alongside him.
2. The situation on the right side of Real Madrid’s formation may finally improve
Carlo Ancelotti got that last game against PSG horribly wrong. This time around, there is scope for improvement. Real Madrid’s game plan was clearly visible in the first leg, they were going for the draw. Such attitude has never suited Real Madrid and that’s the first thing Ancelotti should have instilled in him. Real Madrid always plays for the win.
One major problem in the first leg was the right-hand side of Real Madrid’s formation. Starting Marco Asensio was next to surrendering to PSG’s fierce attack on the left-flank and Real Madrid’s trusted right-back, Carvajal found it extremely difficult to track Mbappe without any support from the right-winger or the midfielders.
All of that is going to change in the second leg. Firstly, Fede Valverde’s legs could come to be of great use, especially while defending in the wider areas. Valverde is brilliant as a transitioning RM and his skill set can come in handy in tracking Mbappe who will be operating on the left of PSG’s formation. He has the ability to run with the speedy Parisian forward. I hope the youngster starts on the right-hand side of Real Madrid’s midfield three. Valverde is a tremendous presser and will be key in keeping Mbappe quiet.
This time around there would be straight instructions from Carlo Ancelotti to his chosen right-winger to track back and support the defense. I have a feeling it’d be Marco Asensio yet again who’d be starting. Firstly, Rodrygo’s decision-making in the final third was something I couldn’t agree with in the last game against La Real. Asensio, however, is terrible with his defensive work rate but shines with his quick decisions and can score out of nothing. He got one off the bench in the weekend.
But, this isn’t a game wherein Asensio can relax. It is make or break for all players out on the pitch. I am sure the game against La Real was clear experimentation from Carlo Ancelotti to check Rodrygo’s fit for the big game. While I think Asensio will start, I don’t think the manager would be patient with him if he doesn’t do a good job defensively he’d be withdrawn for Rodrygo.
1. Real Madrid’s Comeback DNA and the Bernabeu Factor
The final reason why I think that Real Madrid is making a comeback is that I believe in the club’s character. Real Madrid is a club that simply doesn’t give up which is why their history is full of famous European Comebacks.
And, I believe in this set of players and their Madridismo. Each one of them starting from Karim Benzema to the newest entrants like David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga have well-proven their commitment to the club and I can bet on these players to leave their hearts out on the pitch in the mid-week finding a way back and then ahead in this tie.
There are especially a few players I’d highlight here. Firstly, Fede Valverde is a player who lives and breathes for these season-defining games. More so, when these games are against Real Madrid’s fiercest rivals, a category PSG falls in after the whole drama surrounding Kylian Mbappe’s transfer to Real Madrid for a couple of seasons now.
Real Madrid’s utility man, Nacho Fernandez is another player who would die for this club if he could. Following Ferland Mendy’s suspension in the second leg, the road is wide open for Nacho to step up and boss the Parisians in front of 60,000 chanting home-crowd. And, how could I ever forget the Bernabeu?
PSG will be up against 11 Real Madrid players and 60,000 fans at the Bernabeu. Bernabeu is a demanding audience, they’ll take the lead and the players will have to catch up. The fans will compel the players to perform like they have so many times in key games. To keep it short, it is never easy to visit a sold-out Bernabeu, and this one is a Champions League knockout game, a decisive one at that.
Another key personnel is Carlo Ancelotti himself. He should very well know that another similar performance against PSG from the first leg could possibly mean curtains for his second stint as the manager of the club. As critical as I am always of Carlo Ancelotti, I’ll have to praise him for things that he has done right since that embarrassing loss to PSG. Firstly, he tried both Camavinga and Valverde and got an idea of their fit. He also gave Rodrygo his start for the same reason, I believe.
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I am sure Carletto is up to something. Or else what manager says that his team is in good shape when most of his key players are overrun, his key passer in midfield is out injured and one of his brightest young players is out with the flu? And to my surprise, the team did look in good shape against La Real. I am sure there is a game plan up his sleeve. If he says Real Madrid is going for the win then they are getting it. This is it, the biggest game of the season. Let’s get that win. Hala Madrid!