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Real Madrid will be facing PSG in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash. This is a multifaceted bout, as both teams have a ton to play for. Real Madrid is likely playing to convince Kylian Mbappe to join them in the summer. PSG is playing for the same, but also to keep their big trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe together. Thus, with a lot of things to consider for this match, let's look at the two bold predictions for the Champions League clash of Real Madrid vs PSG.
Real Madrid-PSG predictions
Carlo Ancelotti will need to change his approach to the game…or face likely consequences
Any football fan around the world who knows anything about Real Madrid knows that their fans do not like to be bored. Real Madrid fans are almost synonymous with very high standards, with some even calling them bratty and childish. That reputation to the side, the fans are really demanding and it is not even about the result, but about the way the team plays. Famously, Fabio Capello won the league in his second run as Real Madrid coach, yet was fired just weeks after winning the title, due to the way the squad played. Real Madrid fans love action and free-flowing play, not winning at all costs.
That is one reason more why Ancelotti's approach to the first leg was so baffling to many around the world. Obviously, most stated that PSG are favorites. When three of the top ten players on the planet play in your attack, you will be considered favorites against anyone. However, Real Madrid is a team that rarely plays defensive and rarely gives out that much respect, as Ancelotti's men gave to PSG in that match. Somewhat embarrassingly, Real Madrid ended that game with just three shots and zero on goal, compared to 21 shots and eight on goal by PSG.
If that game was in Madrid, Ancelotti would have probably needed security to get escorted out of that stadium. That might sound harsh, but Real Madrid fans are very passionate for their team and even if they lose, if they played well, they will be cheered on. While many in the football world praised Ancelotti for his game plan containing the potent trio upfront, he was met with ire in Madrid, especially by journalists close to the club. People were outraged, as the servility of that game plan was considered unacceptable, especially from a 13-time Champions League winner to a team that was basically founded a few years back.
Thus, the plan will need to change. Although it sounds counterintuitive, the suspension of Casemiro will likely be a positive for Real Madrid, as Ancelotti will be forced to play without a classic defensive midfielder. His place will likely be filled by Toni Kroos, who does have a small injury, but should be ready for the PSG game. In Kroos' standard number 8 slot, it will be Federico Valverde who has a chance to show Ancelotti why he should be the starter in this Real Madrid midfield. That alone should make Carlo Ancelotti play more attacking football and even if Real Madrid is out of the Champions League, the fans will be more forgiving if the way they play is the Real Madrid way – attacking and dominating.
Real Madrid will turn it around and win 2-0
It seems crazy, but predicting that PSG will not score a goal in this game is not so blasphemous as it seems. Out of their front three, it is really only Mbappe is who is playing a great season. Both Messi and Neymar are either underwhelming or have one great game, followed by three or four terrible ones. Just a few days after beating Real Madrid, PSG actually lost to Nantes in the French Ligue 1, as they conceded three in the first half and only scored one in the second half. They are vulnerable and it is really Carlo Ancelotti's fault for not using that in the first game.
Now, it is a different situation. Reportedly, Real Madrid managed to expand the capacity of the renovating Santiago Bernabeu to 60 thousand, and all tickets are sold out. With all that support, a more attacking game plan, and more experience in the Champions League, Real Madrid should really have no trouble winning this game. Sure, PSG still has a shot and most would consider them favorites, but the only players in the PSG starting lineup with a lot of Champions League experience are Messi, Di Maria, Neymar, and possibly Veratti. This Real Madrid squad is going to be beaming with experience, especially in huge clashes and it could be the deciding factor.
Of course, it could turn out the other way, and Real Madrid's plan of attacking backfires. However, due to the way they played for most of this season and due to how they were able to defend until the dying moments of the last game, Real Madrid should be favored to win this game and to go through to the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
