The wait is coming to an end, only two days remain for the season’s biggest blockbuster in European football as PSG visits the Bernabeu to take on Real Madrid in the Champions League Round of 16 stages in the mid-week. A true contest between two European heavyweights and one among these two sides will head home in disappointment.
A match between these two clubs has never been simple and has produced some brilliant football in the past. The recent drama involving Kylian Mbappe’s potential transfer to the Spanish Capital has furthered fueled the famous rivalry. It is indeed the modern-day blockbuster in football. Real Madrid is in the hunt for another European Comeback from a one-goal deficit.
Here are the three biggest keys to victory for Madrid to complete a famous comeback.
3. Defend as a unit
The first key could’ve been about marking Kylian Mbappe and not letting him have the space or time to exploit. But, it was reported earlier that the Frenchman has suffered an injury during training and is now a major doubt for the upcoming game. But, Real Madrid’s job shouldn’t be impacted by whether or not Mbappe plays. The truth is there are brilliant options like Neymar Jr. or even Lionel Messi who could step up to fill that void.
Real Madrid needs to defend as a unit. When I say as a unit I specifically mean that the wide attackers will have to track back. They simply can’t let their fullbacks exposed during buildups or breaks. Firstly, Dani Carvajal was a visible weak link in the first leg and he was sloppy against Real Sociedad in the first half too. Although he improved in the second half, Real Madrid players should remember that PSG can be smart in forcing the right-back into mistakes that he is so susceptible to committing.
Real Madrid’s first-choice left-back Ferland Mendy is suspended for this game alongside a pillar of the club, Casemiro. This means either Nacho or David Alaba would be out there filling up for the Frenchman. Both these players haven’t played as a fullback in the recent matches and even though the situations on the left are better than the right, Real Madrid can take no chances. Vinicius Junior will have to maintain his defensive work rate as he has done so well so far in the season.
Leaving the backline exposed and giving the Parisians space is next to surrender. Their wingers are full of pace and can utilize the gaps in defense if Real Madrid doesn’t keep things tight at the back. So, defend as a unit, help each other out and stay focused. Most, importantly keep no gaps, And, that brings me to the next big key.