Los Blancos to compound PSG's European voodoo
Mauricio Pochettino's PSG side visit the Santiago Bernabeu aiming to add to their 1-0 win in the opening leg in Paris. Kylian Mbappe's late striker ensured that the Parisians take an advantage into the second leg.
Real Madrid searching for another famous European night
Carlo Ancelotti's side have had a dominant domestic campaign, and now is their time to try and translate that dominance into their Champions League run.
Last three results:
Real Madrid 3-0 Alaves (19.02.22)
Rayo Vallecano 0-1 Real Madrid (26.02.22)
Real Madrid 4-1 Real Sociedad (05.02.22)
The first leg was somewhat uninspiring for Real Madrid. Three shots and zero on target is hardly the return that Ancelotti would've liked.
Since that first leg however, Madrid have won three in as many games. Their 4-1 win against Sociedad was an impressive one, with young star Eduardo Camavinga opening the scoring.
Luka Modric, Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio added to this goal, giving Real Madrid some good momentum going into Wednesday's game.
PSG to slip up again in the Champions League?
PSG's recent history in the Champions League hasn't quite met the lofty ambitions of their ownership group. Their 1-0 win at the Parc des Princes was definitely deserved, but domestically they've since struggled.
Last three results:
Nantes 3-1 PSG (19.02.22)
PSG 3-1 St-Etienne (26.02.22)
Nice 1-0 PSG (05.03.22)
The first leg culminated in a dramatic 94th minute winner from Kylian Mbappe. The Real Madrid faithful might not welcome him too well if he is to sign for Los Blancos as has been reported if Mbappe knocks Real Madrid out of the Champions League.
Sure, PSG are top of Ligue 1, and comfortably so. But two losses in the three games since the first leg is far from ideal. They have somewhat flattered to deceive recently in the league, and this is unlikely to bode well come Wednesday night.
Some interesting trivia:
- Real Madrid have been eliminated from nine of their last 10 knockout ties in the Champions League after losing the first leg.
- PSG have been eliminated from three of their eight knockout rounds when winning the first leg. Only Barcelona and Real Madrid have been eliminated more in this fashion.
-Real Madrid have lost just one of the previous five games when hosting PSG.
The Verdict:
This tie looks set up to be a European classic in Madrid. Two heavyweights of the competition battling it out to extend their European run. Their imperious form at the Bernabeu leads me to think that Madrid have the edge here.
PSG have looked shaky, and this means that nerves will be rife when they go to Madrid on Wednesday. That's why I'm going with Real Madrid to qualify with bet365.
