PSG vs Real Madrid Live: Starting Line-ups, Champions League live updates, Messi leads PSG attack : #RashtraNews
#PSG #Real #Madrid #Live #Starting #Lineups #Champions #League #live #updates #Messi #leads #PSG #attack
Welcome to Sportstar’s live blog of the UEFA Champions League 2021-22 clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid being played at Le Parc de Princes in Paris, France.
This is Neeladri Bhattacharjee bringing you the pre-match buildup and minute-by-minute updates of this high-voltage clash.
1-05 am: The players from both the sides are out on the field and are warming up for a match that has the potential to have the intensity of a Champions League final.
12-45 am: Key Stat: Real Madrid has not been able to beat Paris St. Germain since Cristiano Ronaldo left Santiago Bernabeu. Ronaldo was in the scoresheet in both the legs against PSG in the Champions League 2018. Since then, Los Blancos have lost 3-0 to PSG and drawn 2-2 on November 27, 2019.
12-25 am: Starting Line-ups are out!
PSG Starting XI: Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK), Achraf Hakimi, Presnel Kimpembe, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Danilo Pereira, Leandro Paredes, Marco Verratti, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria
Real Madrid Starting XI: Thibaut Courtois (GK), Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, David Alaba, Eder Militao, Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Luka Modric, Marco Asensio, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior
12-20 pm: HEAD-TO-HEAD: Since 2015, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have met seven times and Real Madrid has won thrice, while PSG has won twice and two matches have been a draw. The last time the two sides met, the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
MATCH PREVIEW
Paris St Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino has backed Lionel Messi to come alive against Real Madrid in Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 first leg despite an underwhelming domestic campaign.
Messi has scored only two goals in Ligue 1 since his shock move to PSG last August after being forced to leave Barcelona after 21 years as the Catalans could no longer afford his salary. He scored 30 goals in his final LaLiga campaign.
But he has fared much better in the Champions League for PSG, scoring five times in five group games, including a wonderful strike in a 2-0 home win over Manchester City.
Messi usually upped his game against Real Madrid when playing for Barcelona, scoring 26 goals in 45 meetings with Barca’s biggest rival, making him the all-time top scorer in ‘El Clasico’.
READ:
Man City defender Cancelo opens up about ‘horrific’ home assault
And Pochettino is certain the seven-times Ballon d’Or winner will rise to the occasion when Carlo Ancelotti’s side visit the Parc des Princes.
“Messi is in good shape and really looking forward to the game. In matches like this his experience is very important and he can play a fundamental role in transmitting that to his team-mates,” Pochettino told a news conference.
“We don’t need to gear ourselves up for this game because everyone is already highly motivated and hugely excited about playing tomorrow and helping the team in any way possible.”
Pochettino confirmed that former Real captain Sergio Ramos is the only PSG player from his squad who will be missing for the match after Neymar returned to training on Monday for the first time after injuring his ankle in November.
ALSO READ:
Man City don’t have extra incentive to win Champions League, says Guardiola
Pochettino paid tribute to the might of Real and said his side, which has never won the Champions League, was very much the contender against the 13-times European champion.
“We have so much respect for Real Madrid as one of the best teams in the world. You don’t win 13 European Cups thanks to your coaches, that is down to the overall strength of the club,” the Argentine coach said.
“We are the challengers, a lot of effort has gone into building a squad to achieve our dream but we’re still the challengers and Real Madrid are the ones who have a habit of winning the Champions League.
“But we don’t feel like victims, I believe in my team, in my club and in our fans, who will give us a lot of energy.”
( News Source :Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Rashtra News staff and is published from a sportstar.thehindu.com feed.)
Related searches :