Temas: Angel Di Maria, Neymar, Unai Emery, PSG, Real Madrid, UEFA Champions League
The Brazilian could be out for the remainder of the season, but Emery has a player who could easily deputize.

With PSG vs Real Madrid fast approaching, the attention has been on the injured Neymar. The Brazilian suffered an ankle sprain and a broken fifth metatarsal in Ligue 1 last weekend and has thus been ruled out of the crucial Champions League tie.

The Ligue 1 giant needs to overturn a 3-1 deficit if they wish to make the next round, but with Neymar reportedly fighting to be fit for the 2018 World Cup, he won’t be able to help. Fortunately for Les Parisiens has an in-form player who could easily: Angel Di Maria.

The Argentine has not been a regular starter, coming in to fill for Neymar or Mbappe when one is injured or in need of a rest. Nonetheless, he has been one of their most productive players this campaign.

El Fideo has started 13 times in 2018 but has still managed an impressive 12 goals in the new calendar year. In their first game since Neymar’s awful injury, a clash with Marseille in the French cup, the 30-year-old stepped up in the Brazilian’s absence and scored twice.

Then there is his Champions League record. While Unai Emery’s side has been beaten in Europe this season, once against Bayern Munich and once against Real Madrid, they have not lost a single game in this competition with Di Maria in the starting lineup.

Victory alone won’t cut it against Los Blancos, as they need to win by a two-goal margin in order to progress. Emery will have no excuse to bench Di Maria in this match, the man with 16 goals and six assists that could haunt his former club.