Giants collide: Parc des Princes looks to crown a king
PSG, Real clash in Paris looking to take control of Group A after winning first two matches
PSG, Real clash in Paris looking to take control of Group A after winning first two matches. PHOTO: AFP
PARIS:
Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid will test their Champions League credentials when they meet at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday with supremacy in their group at stake.
The two teams, who harbour ambitions of going all the way in Europe’s elite club competition, are locked together at the top of Group A after beating Malmo and Shakhtar Donetsk without conceding a goal.
Both sides are therefore well on course to qualify for the last 16, but their double confrontation over the next two weeks will in all likelihood determine who tops the group and thereby sets up a more favourable draw in the first knockout round.
Madrid’s preparations for the match have been overshadowed by injuries. Gareth Bale is set to miss out with a recurrence of a calf injury suffered in the 3-0 win against Levante at the weekend, while James Rodriguez, Pepe and Dani Carvajal are also out. Karim Benzema is a major doubt as well due to a hamstring strain.
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However, Rafael Benitez’s men have been boosted by the return of Luka Modric to training and captain Sergio Ramos is reportedly set to start against the French champions after overcoming a shoulder injury.
Madrid are joint top of La Liga and are still unbeaten under Benitez, but Spain midfielder Isco admits that record will be seriously tested in France. “They are one of the most complete sides in the competition and have great players,” said Isco. “The two matches against them will be very hard and will be defined by the small details.”
Like their opponents, PSG are yet to lose this season and are top of Ligue 1. The French champions are unbeaten in their last 20 games since a 2-0 defeat against Barcelona in the quarter-finals of last season’s Champions League in April.
However, Paris coach Laurent Blanc has injury concerns of his own, with Marco Verratti and Angel Di Maria hoping to feature after missing the Bastia game at the weekend and David Luiz struggling to overcome a knee injury.
Mourinho goes back to Porto as Chelsea seek comfort in Europe
In addition, first-choice goalkeeper Kevin Trapp faces a fight to recover from a thigh injury in time, so Salvatore Sirigu is standing by to replace him.
Di Maria will be especially eager to feature against the side he helped win the Champions League in 2014 with an outstanding performance in the final against Atletico Madrid.
However, he says he will not celebrate if he scores.
“I won’t celebrate because I have not forgotten what I went through with Madrid. It was unforgettable, a magnificent memory that will always stay with me,” di Maria told Canal Plus.
Sterling sets sight on Sevilla
After his hat-trick against Bournemouth at the weekend, Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has his sights on bigger targets, starting with the Champions League encounter at home to Europa League holders Sevilla.
Liverpool, Tottenham, Dortmund all held in Europa
“That was my best game so far for City. I had chances and I finished them, so I’m happy,” said the England man. “The movement up front and the passing from midfield has been really good in the last few games and we’ve been playing some good, free-flowing stuff.”
However, the 20-year-old knows his side must focus on the challenges ahead. “We have to put this game to one side now and look towards Sevilla on Wednesday and Man United next weekend. But our focus for now is purely on Wednesday.”
Meanwhile, Sevilla’s domestic struggles continued on Saturday as they could only manage a 1-1 draw at Eibar, which left them 12th in La Liga with just two wins from their opening eight games.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 21st, 2015.
Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid will test their Champions League credentials when they meet at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday with supremacy in their group at stake.
The two teams, who harbour ambitions of going all the way in Europe’s elite club competition, are locked together at the top of Group A after beating Malmo and Shakhtar Donetsk without conceding a goal.
Both sides are therefore well on course to qualify for the last 16, but their double confrontation over the next two weeks will in all likelihood determine who tops the group and thereby sets up a more favourable draw in the first knockout round.
Madrid’s preparations for the match have been overshadowed by injuries. Gareth Bale is set to miss out with a recurrence of a calf injury suffered in the 3-0 win against Levante at the weekend, while James Rodriguez, Pepe and Dani Carvajal are also out. Karim Benzema is a major doubt as well due to a hamstring strain.
Fort? Watford? Win over Hornets perfect prep for Bayern, says Wenger
However, Rafael Benitez’s men have been boosted by the return of Luka Modric to training and captain Sergio Ramos is reportedly set to start against the French champions after overcoming a shoulder injury.
Madrid are joint top of La Liga and are still unbeaten under Benitez, but Spain midfielder Isco admits that record will be seriously tested in France. “They are one of the most complete sides in the competition and have great players,” said Isco. “The two matches against them will be very hard and will be defined by the small details.”
Like their opponents, PSG are yet to lose this season and are top of Ligue 1. The French champions are unbeaten in their last 20 games since a 2-0 defeat against Barcelona in the quarter-finals of last season’s Champions League in April.
However, Paris coach Laurent Blanc has injury concerns of his own, with Marco Verratti and Angel Di Maria hoping to feature after missing the Bastia game at the weekend and David Luiz struggling to overcome a knee injury.
Mourinho goes back to Porto as Chelsea seek comfort in Europe
In addition, first-choice goalkeeper Kevin Trapp faces a fight to recover from a thigh injury in time, so Salvatore Sirigu is standing by to replace him.
Di Maria will be especially eager to feature against the side he helped win the Champions League in 2014 with an outstanding performance in the final against Atletico Madrid.
However, he says he will not celebrate if he scores.
“I won’t celebrate because I have not forgotten what I went through with Madrid. It was unforgettable, a magnificent memory that will always stay with me,” di Maria told Canal Plus.
Sterling sets sight on Sevilla
After his hat-trick against Bournemouth at the weekend, Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has his sights on bigger targets, starting with the Champions League encounter at home to Europa League holders Sevilla.
Liverpool, Tottenham, Dortmund all held in Europa
“That was my best game so far for City. I had chances and I finished them, so I’m happy,” said the England man. “The movement up front and the passing from midfield has been really good in the last few games and we’ve been playing some good, free-flowing stuff.”
However, the 20-year-old knows his side must focus on the challenges ahead. “We have to put this game to one side now and look towards Sevilla on Wednesday and Man United next weekend. But our focus for now is purely on Wednesday.”
Meanwhile, Sevilla’s domestic struggles continued on Saturday as they could only manage a 1-1 draw at Eibar, which left them 12th in La Liga with just two wins from their opening eight games.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 21st, 2015.