How have PSG changed since their 4-0 Barca victory?
On Tuesday PSG will step out into the Parc des Princes to once again face one of Europe's great sides in the Champions League round of 16. It was a year ago that they ran out against Barcelona, recording an impressive 4-0 win at the Parc des Princes. Unfortunately for them, they will have to follow in Barcelona's footsteps, i.e. complete a massive comeback, on Tuesday if they are to make it to the next round of the tournament.
That being said, the PSG side that we will see at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday doesn't bear much resemblance to the one that beat Barca 4-0 last year. To begin with, Alphonse Areola, who was on the bench on that day, has now taken Kevin Trapp's place between the sticks, with Unai Emery not too confident in the German's abilities.
There isn't much similarity in defence, either. Dani Alves, who moved to Paris in summer, has taken the place of Thomas Meunier, while Yuri Berchiche has replaced Layvin Kurzawa in the first XI. In 2017 the heart of the defence was made up of Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe, whereas this time it seems the former will be joined by fellow Brazilian Thiago Silva, although Emery did start Kimpembe in the first leg.
In the centre of the park, things are more recognisable, as Marco Verratti and Adrien Rabiot, who both started against Barca, are expected to feature in the first XI, alongside either Thiago Motta or Lass Diarra. Blaise Matuidi, who is now at Juventus, was the third member of the midfield three in 2017.
The front three, which will contain Kylian Mbappe, Edison Cavani and Angel Di Maria on Tuesday, is also fairly similar to last year's side. On that day, with Neymar still playing on the opposing team, Emery started Di Maria, Cavani and Julian Draxler. The German, who scored the second goal, will watch from the bench when his team face Real, although he may get the chance to come on as a sub.