PSG will take on Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16 second leg fixture at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
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Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino expects “Real Madrid to play with real intensity” in the Champions League last-16 second leg fixture at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. The French giants secured a 1-0 win in the first leg clash in Paris and are very well aware of the fact that a one goal advantage is never too safe against the La Liga giants. Kylian Mbappe’s late goal separated the two teams at Parc des Princes.
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Pochettino’s side gave a spirited performance in the first leg but weren’t clinical enough in front of goal. It could have been easily two or three goals had they taken their chances, and Lionel Messi’s penalty was saved by Thibaut Courtois.
Pochettino was speaking to the press gathered in the Media room at the Bernabeu ahead of the much awaited Champions League clash featuring the likes of Messi, Neymar and Mbappe. The PSG boss said “Real Madrid are a great team with some very good players and their philosophy won’t change despite the absences of Casemiro and Mendy. Their playing philosophy will remain the same. We’ve played Real Madrid in the past and are fully aware of what they can do. We expect Madrid to play with real intensity in front of their fans right from the off and we want to counter that dominance”.
Pochettino’s strategy to press higher up the pitch worked in the first leg, neutralising the Madrid’s midfield and not allowing them to register even a single shot on target. However, Madrid are a quality team who are well equipped to overcome such situations under the guidance of head coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Madrid are heading into the match on the back of a stunning 4-1 win over Real Sociedad on Sunday. The likes of Eduardo Camavinga and Luka Modric scored brilliant long-range goals in the first half before Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio completed the drubbing in the second half. Meanwhile PSG suffered a 1-0 loss against Nice in the last game.
“The best way to approach the game is to play and attack in the opposition’s half. We know it’s going to be a difficult game and that we’ll see a different side to Madrid to the one we saw in the first leg. Our job is to retain our lead”
Once again, the onus will be on the front-three of Mesi Neymar and Mbape to get the Parisians through to the next round against the thirteen time european champions.
“We respect Real Madrid and their players. It’s no coincidence that the club has won the Champions League 13 times, but we’re not fearful. We know that we’ll have to put in a disciplined performance. This is a competition that any player, squad or club would want to win. We’ll be aiming to progress into the quarter-finals.”
