The current holders of the UEFA Champions League will have to be in their sparkling best if they indeed seek to clinch the esteemed trophy for a record third successive time. Los Blancos have already lost in their race to defending the Spanish League title and were kicked out of the Copa Del Rey via a surprise defeat to Leganes in the quarter-finals.
Unquestionably so, it is not surprising that the upcoming clash between the Merengues and Paris Saint-Germain has been dubbed as a finale by many. This, of course, goes contrary to Zidane’s assertion in his Tuesday pre-match presser.
"It's not a final for me," the French man stated.
"It's one of two Champions League games that we have against PSG.
“What we have to do and what interests me is to play good football because with the team we have we've got a good chance of going through."
In much candor, these words would have been unanimously accepted had it been some 10 months ago. Despite confidence growing big in the all White camp following an emphatic victory over Real Sociedad over the weekend, the opponent they will now face possess all the tools to make life unbearable. It is indeed just another game, but knowing the investments PSG has made in barely a year, they wouldn’t be coming to town only to admire the beautiful city of Madrid.
As a result, it is now up to Zidane to sort out his tactics by predominantly sealing the leakage in his defense, while acquiring an antidote to deal with the infestation of Mbappe, Neymar, Cavani, and the in-form Di Maria, should the Argentine get the nod he deserves. Yes, the odds may be slightly against Real Madrid due to their recent form. However, knowing the surprises they are capable of serving up, it will be suicidal to completely write them off especially as they feature in their own backyard in the first of the two-legged tie.
If history is anything to go by, a goal or two at the Bernabeu by Cristiano Ronaldo or any of his teammates for that matter could easily unlock the floodgates for Los Blancos and, eventually, cause them to put the game to bed before the return trip to Paris. At that instance, a third consecutive UCL title could be very far from the fantasty it is now. Similarly, Neymar and his garrison could annihilate the Galacticos in their own fortress and make the return encounter a mere excursion for the 12-time European champions. Now, what does the small voice in your head tell you?!
