Madrid, March 8 (BNA): In the absence of some star power, likely, Carlo Ancelotti and Mauricio Pochettino will have to make some adjustments in the decisive confrontation between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday.
Kylian Mbappe is doubtful for Paris Saint-Germain due to a left foot injury, while Real Madrid is likely to be without Toni Kroos due to a muscle problem, according to the Associated Press.
Real Madrid, who lost the first leg 1-0 thanks to injury-time winner Mbappe in Paris, will certainly be without Casemiro due to suspension and may also not count on Federico Valverde fully fit after a match with the flu.
Preparing the midfield will not be an easy task for Ancelotti, as Casemiro plays a key role in keeping the Spanish squad balanced.
Kroos’ absence will hurt the team more offensively than defensively, as the German veteran helps the team move into attack. Kroos is back in training but the decision on whether to play likely won’t be made until Wednesday.
Young Frenchman Eduardo Camavinga is likely to enter the midfield alongside Luka Modric and possibly Valverde, who missed the La Liga match against Real Sociedad last week.
19-year-old Camavinga played well in that match, scoring a superb opening goal in the 4-1 win that cemented Real Madrid’s lead in the league. With Casemiro on his side, though, it wouldn’t be the case against PSG.
Mbappe, who was linked with a move to Madrid when his contract expired at the end of the season, was in excellent shape with 24 goals and 17 assists in all competitions.
He was suspended at the weekend when PSG lost 1-0 in Nice in the French Ligue 1. Pochettino has used former Real Madrid striker Angel Di Maria alongside Neymar in attack, and Di Maria is likely to play again if Mbappe can’t. The Argentine played under Ancelotti in his first coaching assignment with Madrid.
Pochettino is set to miss former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos and Spaniard Ander Herrera due to injuries, and Achraf Hakimi, another former Real Madrid player, has also been listed as suspect. Ramos will make the trip to the Spanish capital despite her unavailability.
Ancelotti can’t count on suspended left-back Ferland Mendy, and veteran Marcelo is likely to take over.
Real Madrid knocked out Paris Saint-Germain at this point in 2018 on their way to winning the title for the third year in a row, despite the French club taking the lead in the two previous knockout matches between the two teams.
Madrid is the 13-time European champion, while Paris Saint-Germain is seeking to win its first title in the Champions League.
60,000 spectators are expected – the largest since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic – at the Santiago Bernabeu, which remains below full capacity due to renovations.
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