Clash PSG - Real Madrid| Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo and Beckham to attend the Game | It rains :(

[Ecstatic]

PSG - KEY CONSIDERATIONS

- Berchiche likely to start because he seemes to be more reliable defensively than Kurzawa
- Cavani is apparently injured so Mbappé and Di Maria are likely to start as of today
- Thiago Motta isn't fit due to some injuries. Diarra likely to start
- Lo Celso and Di Maria are in an excellent shape while Draxler and Pastore don't belong to the top 13.
- Lo Celso will enter the game as a sub to replace one of the central midfielders, very probably Lassana Diarra

KEY BATTLES

- Neymar against Nacho (Carvajal suspended)
- Modric against Rabiot
- Kroos against Verratti
- Cristiano against Dani Alves

 

[Ecstatic]

REAL MADRID - DEFENSIVE STRATEGY (credit: culturepsg.com)


« In the heart of La Undecima », Real Madrid TV

HIM = GRIEZMANN in the final of the Champions League 2017/18

Below CASEMIRO the DESTROYER, the 5th member of the defence

RM AGAINST VALENCIA THIS SEASON

RM AGAINST BAYERN LAST SEASON

RM AGAINST NAPOLI LAST SEASON

 

[Dumbstar]

Feck off its Liverpool v Porto and you all know it!

 

[Ecstatic]

@Vato
@giorno
@carvajal
@El Pasillo

Good luck. Your team is more experienced so 50-50 for me!

 

[Vato]

 

[Classical Mechanic]

See Ronaldo is getting warmed up. Hope he lays waste to PSG.

 

[el3mel]

It's make or break for both teams. The only competition Real can use to save their season, and at the same time for Paris getting knocked out of 16th round after all that investment will be disastrous. This tie will affect the future of both managers.

I favor Paris but it'll be a close call.

 

[VorZakone]

Can see Real Madrid being too mature and experienced for PSG. For what it's worth, PSG beat Bayern when Bayern was in bad form under Ancelotti. And they're far too good for Ligue 1. So they're still a bit 'green' to me compared to Real who've been there and done it over and over.

 

[SwansonsTache]

Never thought I would support RM in anything, but I Hope they rinse PSG.

 

[Ecstatic]

It's make or break for both teams. The only competition Real can use to save their season, and at the same time for Paris getting knocked out of 16th round after all that investment will be disastrous. This tie will affect the future of both managers.

I favor Paris but it'll be a close call.

Sure, if PSG doesn't qualify, the club will have a new coach next season: they certainly coaches like Conte, Diego Simeone and Allegri.

No need to sack him as his contract finishes at the end of the season.

 

[giorno]

Our defensive strategy involves a lot of bending down at 90°...

Carvajal suspension is a blessing in disguise(right until Varane or Ramos get injured tomorrow) though. Nacho at least can try to slow neymar down and the pace to keep up with him

 

[Adisa]

Think Madrid will play the game of their lives.
Their season hinges on it.

 

[Ecstatic]

Cristiano Ronaldo tonight against Sociedad: 3 goals, great performance

https://streamable.com/2vczi
Neymar against Toulouse: 1 goal, some chances

 

[Bole Top]

I see PSG as the ultimate flat-track bully team today and that's why I think Madrid will murder them. they just don't play well in tough away games, not even in their own league. they couldn't beat Marseille and they lost against Lyon. they conceded 2 against Marseille, 2 against Lyon and 3 against Bayern. they're good, but Madrid will expose them badly, imo.

3-1 or 4-1.

 

[Ecstatic]

We need a poll with the following choices: draw, advantage of 1 goal for Madrid, advantage of 2 goals at least for Madrid, advantage of 1 goal for PSG, advantage of 2 goals for PSG.

The opportunity to see if we have real experts here

 

[cyberman]

PSG have conceded 1 less goal than us having played 2 games less after tomorrow which I find astounding.
How can they be so dominant in a lesser league and do that?
I think they're going in undercooked and if they face any adversity at all they could struggle at knowing how to reply which doesn't involve completely swamping the opponents.

 

[XH6]

I expect Madrid control the midfield and dominate possession, but PSG are so dangerous on the counter that it's so hard to predict which way this will pan out.

In the end, I'll go for 3-1 PSG, as I expect Neymar to run riot over whoever Madrid's right back is and I think they'll pick them off on the counter as Madrid push forward.

 

[duffer]

The grumpy old man in me wants this thread to be merged with the matchday thread for that days games.

 

[whatwha]

Really looking forward to the CL matches this season!

Dani Alves still going strong?

 

[Kaos]

As much as I hate Madrid I hope they turn PSG over. Can't stand the slavery-enabling plastics. Some Neymar tears will be delicious too.

 

[Sayros]

I really don't see Real Madrid beating PSG, I hope I'm right too. I think players like Mbappe, Di Maria, and Neymar will really hurt Madrid more than CR7, Benzema, or Bale will hurt PSG.

 

[Peyroteo]

Feck off its Liverpool v Porto and you all know it!

You're going to concede a goal from a setpiece in Porto. Remember me when it happens.

As for this match, Madrid need to control possession and not be too direct. A 0-0 draw is a good result and even a 1-1 draw isn't too bad. Their defense is a massive liability and PSG's counterattack is probably the best in the world right now so Madrid can't afford to lose the ball in dangerous positions. Isco should start this match instead of Bale and Bale should start the second leg in front of Isco imo.

Carvajal has been pretty bad this season and Nacho matches up well with Neymar so the suspension for Carvajla is actually a positive. It will give Madrid one more dangerous threat in set pieces too.

2 teams playing their season in 2 games. The champions vs the team that wants to cement theirselves as one of the top clubs in Europe. It's going to be incredible, it's a shame this game is being played in the round of 16.

 

[donkeyfish]

Is that Diarra who used to be at Chelsea? I'd have guessed he'd be like 50 by now.

 

[carvajal]

Great posts @Ecstatic ,good luck to you too,and @BBRBB .I think beyond individual duels Madrid will have options if they show the collective spirit, the mentality of having won 3 Champions in four years, that and the Bernabéu, although when there is such anxiety does not work well.
For me, the most striking is to see who will be more decisive, Cristiano or Neymar.
One because is losing his place in the elite and his substitute can give him the thrust, and Neymar because they have signed him for this.
Basic match to glimpse the future proyect of Madrid.
I think you are slightly favorites in the tie, based on results,but that midfield with Lass Diarra ... we'll have to try our luck out there. My prediction is that Cristiano is going to be the best in the game.
It won't happen but I think Madrid should play 442

 

[BBRBB]

Great posts @Ecstatic ,good luck to you too,and @BBRBB .I think beyond individual duels Madrid will have options if they show the collective spirit, the mentality of having won 3 Champions in four years, that and the Bernabéu, although when there is such anxiety does not work well.
For me, the most striking is to see who will be more decisive, Cristiano or Neymar.
One because is losing his place in the elite and his substitute can give him the thrust, and Neymar because they have signed him for this.
Basic match to glimpse the future proyect of Madrid.
I think you are slightly favorites in the tie, based on results,but that midfield with Lass Diarra ... we'll have to try our luck out there. My prediction is that Cristiano is going to be the best in the game.
It won't happen but I think Madrid should play 442

Good luck to you too!

Madrid are definite favourites at home, I don't care much about their supposed lack of form, they will be ready. If we get a half-decent result away we can clinch the qualification at home, even if it means having to win by 2 or 3.

 

[Ishdalar]

I like that one of the key battles you mentiones is Rabiot vs Modric.

I've been hearing a lot of good things about Rabiot without seeing him much, but games like this are the ones when players have to start showing if they're going to be stars or just "almost a star". He doesn't need to outplay or make Modric look bad, but just having as much effect could give PSG a key victory in a duel that, beyond individualities (that in this game, could happen anytime), may dictate the whole leg and the change of term for PSG in detriment of Real.

 

[Givenchy]

Madrid will (unfortunately) turn up here and suprise everyone, Ronaldo will be the difference. obviously as a Barca fan I'm hoping PSG stuff them but either way seeing Qatar dumped out early or your arch rivals dumped out early is fantastic

 

[iluvoursolskjær]

Madrid were shit hot today and - even though it was only Sociedad - I expect them to turn it on in the CL. Some Neymar tears would be a great.

 

[Brightonian]

I'd like Madrid to win because it'd be hilarious for PSG to go out in the Ro16 after spending such vast sums. Also because I think Madrid aren't as good - marginally - and the side we'd have more chance of beating out of the two - definitely, because they are a known quantity, and Mourinho likes a known quantity.

 

[P-Nut]

Ronaldo will show up for this one and put PSG to the sword.

Should be a cracking game though, so happy the CL is back in business soon. There are a lot of great games in this round.

 

[Peyroteo]

Neymar's form has gone under the radar because he's doing it in France, he's having an insane season. Scoring more than 1 goal per game while creating more chances than anyone in the world is ridiculous.

These will be huge 2 games for him, if he doesn't show up against this poor Madrid defense people will just shrug off what he's been doing for the rest of the season.

 

[Cait Sith]

Really looking forward to this game.

I see PSG as the ultimate flat-track bully team today and that's why I think Madrid will murder them. they just don't play well in tough away games, not even in their own league. they couldn't beat Marseille and they lost against Lyon. they conceded 2 against Marseille, 2 against Lyon and 3 against Bayern. they're good, but Madrid will expose them badly, imo.

3-1 or 4-1.

I agree although maybe not "murder" but they'll get past PSG.

 

[Ronaldo's Mum Eh?]

Cristiano will go off like he usually does.

The champions league is his bitch.

 

[oneniltothearsenal]

Really hope PSG wins this and accelerates the decline of the Spanish duo. I may regret this in 4 years if PSG becomes a CL final fixture but it would be nice for long suffering fans like yourself if they got the CL win here.

 

[roonster09]

Very good post @Ecstatic

This looks like a tie where losing manager gets sacked.

 

[Ecstatic]

Is that Diarra who used to be at Chelsea? I'd have guessed he'd be like 50 by now.

Yes. The same who also played under Mourinho at Real Madrid. He's 32.

Slow player but experienced.Thiago Motta isn't fit. Rabiot doesn't want to play as a #6. Lo Celso is a lovely player but still mild.

Great posts @Ecstatic ,good luck to you too,and @BBRBB .I think beyond individual duels Madrid will have options if they show the collective spirit, the mentality of having won 3 Champions in four years, that and the Bernabéu, although when there is such anxiety does not work well.
For me, the most striking is to see who will be more decisive, Cristiano or Neymar.
One because is losing his place in the elite and his substitute can give him the thrust, and Neymar because they have signed him for this.
Basic match to glimpse the future proyect of Madrid.
I think you are slightly favorites in the tie, based on results,but that midfield with Lass Diarra ... we'll have to try our luck out there. My prediction is that Cristiano is going to be the best in the game.
It won't happen but I think Madrid should play 442

Cheers.

Some times, I have the feeling you have a kind of 4-4-2 with Cristiano-Benzema.

Dani Alves is 33 years so I expect Cristiano to spend more time as usual on the wing.

Whatever the tactical system, I can see a very aggressive Real Madrid in the first 30 minutes with a strong physical impact. For example, Benzema will harass Thiago Silva and Diarra. Kroos will try to destroy Verratti.

Very good post @Ecstatic

This looks like a tie where losing manager gets sacked.

Thanks.

PSG out means Emery out at the end of the season for sure. Zidane, I don't know because we can't blame him me for spending so much in the last seasons.

 

[El Pasillo]

@Vato
@giorno
@carvajal
@El Pasillo

Good luck. Your team is more experienced so 50-50 for me!

I'm not a Madridista.

 

[Ecstatic]

I'm not a Madridista.

Sorry then. You're rather a Benzemadista!

 

[Ducklegs]

Whats all that RAWKish stuff in the OP?

Are all those arrow and dots supposed to mean someting to us?

 

[gibers]

Hope Neymar and Mbappe put Madrid to the sword but I can see EL Kommander scoring a hattrick