PSG take on Real Madrid in a much awaited Champions League clash on Thursday (00:30 am IST). It will be the toughest fixture for both sides in their group. Both sides have faced each other nine times with Real winning four and two games ending in draws. Their most recent fixture was last year in the Round of 16 at the Champions League where Real beat the French champions 5-2 on aggregate. Both teams pack star-studded squads but will be lacking some serious talent as they head into Thursday's fixture.
PSG will miss the likes of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Edinson Cavani, Julian Draxler and Thilo Kehrer. Neymar, who is back in the squad, will miss the clash following his three-match ban in the Champions League from last year. He was banned from three matches following his social media outburst against refereeing after their match against Manchester United. Cavani has still not fully recovered from his hip injury. Mbappe will also miss the high-profile clash after picking up a thigh injury during a game against Toulouse. Julian Draxler and Thilo Kehrer too will most likely miss out after picking up foot injuries.
Here is how PSG could line up against Real Madrid:
PSG (4-2-3-1): Keylor Navas, Thiago Silva, Layvin Kurzawa, Abdou Diallo, Thomas Meunier, Idrissa Gueye, Marco Verratti, Pablo Sarabia, Mauro Icardi, Angel Di Maria, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
Likely to miss: Neymar, Mbappe, Cavani, Draxler, Kehrer
ALSO READ
- Erling Haaland to join Real Madrid if Manchester City agree to swap deal involving ace BRAZILIAN: Report
- Real Madrid want Rodri! Manchester City's Ballon d'Or winner to reach Spain at French midfielder's cost?
- Ballon d’Or 2024: Real Madrid unhappy with Rodri winning over Carvajal; opted to skip Paris to show Vinicius Jr respect
Things are not looking particularly bright for Real Madrid either. The 13-time Champions League champions are lacking some serious fire power due to injuries. While James Rodriguez and Eden Hazard are back from injuries, Hazard may most likely be rested to give him more time. Real look particularly frail in defence with both Sergio Ramos and Nacho missing out due to suspensions. Madrid have had problems since the start of the season in defence, conceding a goal in every game they have played so far. Marcelo, Isco, Marco Asensio, Luka Modric and Federico Valverde will all miss out due to injuries. Los Blancos will have a tough time keeping Di Maria and Icardi at bay with their current ineffective defensive line-up.
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois, Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao, Raphael Varane, Dani Carvajal, Casemiro, James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos, Vinicius, Lucas Vazquez, Karim Benzema
Likely to miss: Hazard, Isco, Modric, Asensio, Marcelo, Valverde, Ramos, Nacho