PSG v Real Madrid - Preview and possible lineups
PSG look to overturn a 3-1 deficit in the Champions League last-16 second leg against Real Madrid, which will be missed by the world's most expensive player.
Paris Saint-Germain will be without world-record signing Neymar, who will miss the clash after undergoing surgery on Saturday in Belo Horizonte on a small fracture to a metatarsal in his right foot. The Brazilian is now recovering with the aim of being back towards the end of the season. Meanwhile, the fitness of fellow forward Kylian Mbappe will need to be monitored as he struggles with a knee problem.
Real Madrid talisman Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have been saving his best for the Champions League and the second half of the season. The 33-year-old scored twice in the first leg and remains the most potent weapon for the holders.
"When one player is missing, it opens the door for someone else, and I know that whoever comes in through that door will do so with all their force," said PSG manager Unai Emery.
Angel Di Maria is likely to start for PSG against his former club, alongside Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani in a front three at the Parc des Princes. Les Parisiens will undeniably miss Neymar's influence in the final third, with the 26-year-old has scoring 28 goals and providing 16 assists since his arrival in the French capital.
Real Madrid trail bitter rivals Barcelona by 15 points in La Liga. With their hopes of retaining the league title all but gone, Los Blancos cling to their chances of defending the Champions League, their only hope of silverware this season. Zinedine Zidane's side are looking to become the first team since Bayern Munich (1974 to 1976) to win Europe's elite competition for three years on the trot.
Real's balanced midfield is back to full strength with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric back in the fold. The duo have both been struggling with injury for Madrid, although they travelled to the French capital with the rest of Zidane's squad on Monday.
PSG are confident centre-back Marquinhos, midfielder Marco Verratti and both Mbappe and Cavani would be ready for the game after minor fitness concerns. They all trained on Sunday, but Argentine Javier Pastore is a doubt.
Possible lineups:
PSG: Areola, Alves, Silva, Kimpembe, Berchiche, Rabiot, Lo Celso, Verratti, Mbappe, Di Maria, Cavani
Real Madrid: Navas, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema