The formations of Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid for the mutual match in the Champions League have been announced. Neymar, who has returned from injury, starts on the bench with the home team; Karim Benzema appears to be fit enough to appear at the base on behalf of the visitors. Georginio Wijnaldum is on the bench at PSG. The first meeting in the eighth finals starts on Tuesday evening at 9 p.m. in the Parc des Princes.
Mauricio Pochettino has resisted the temptation to give Neymar a starting spot immediately after his return. The attacker is fully back in training after an absence of two and a half months due to an ankle injury, but will start on the bench as expected. Sergio Ramos and Ander Herrera are not there due to injuries. Idrissa Gueye is back after participating in the Africa Cup with Senegal and starts on the bench. Below the bar, Gianluigi Donnarumma is preferred over Keylor Navas. The two goalkeepers alternate continuously this season.
Real was especially concerned about Benzema. The star player missed the last three official games of his club due to a muscle injury. On Monday he indicated that he was feeling better, although coach Carlo Ancelotti emphasized that he would not take any risks with his striker. In the end, he was found fit enough for the game in his home country. Ferland Mendy is back as a left-back after having to miss three games due to a hamstring ailment.
The return of Mendy is also a big boost for Real. He was replaced by Marcelo against Villarreal (0-0) on Sunday, but his defensive flaws surfaced: Marcelo struggled with Samu Chukwueze and was passed four times in the game, more than any other player on the pitch. Moreover, he only won one in five matches.
The game is a chance for Lionel Messi to end his goal drought against Real. The attacker last scored for Barcelona in May 2018 against the Royal† then seven games without a goal followed. In addition, Messi has gone without a win in his last four games against Real. He lost three of them.
Line-up Paris Saint Germain: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Nuno Mendes; Paredes, Danilo Pereira, Verratti; Di Maria, Messi, Mbappe.
Real Madrid line-up: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius Junior