Real Madrid season far from over
At the beginning of the season, everyone thought Real Madrid are gonna win it all after thumbing Barcelona and Manchester United at the cup ties. But things went quite bizarre after Real went on an unexpected downfall in the league and the Copa. As a result of the way Real were playing for the past months, Pundits all over the footballing world thought PSG were going to end Madrid season in a humiliating way. But as the way things turned out, Real beating one of the favorites to win the Cup at their home 3 goals to 1, they are still one of the favorites to win this prestigious trophy. After all, they are always the favorites to win the UCL considering the role of the club in the competition for the past few years and in the history of the competition.
Experience won it for Madrid
PSG fans and players might be kicking themselves for the loss because the scoreline doesn't justify the whole game. PSG played really well but Madrid was solid and composed. If PSG could finish better, they could have easily won the game. Madrid waited long enough, they were patient in defending and when the time came, they killed the game. PSG players lost their concentration at the last 10 minutes which was exactly what Madrid was waiting for, and they took the opportunity perfectly well. If there is something that PSG want to avoid is a second consecutive defeat to another Spanish champion in the UCL after a huge transfer window splashing so much money for Neymar and Mbappe
The effect of substitutes
The game-changing moment for both the teams. Where PSG put a foot wrong by taking off Cavani. Taking off an attacker like Cavani for a right-back was a poor choice especially when your team is playing well.But, Zidane was spot on with his subs. Zidane took a huge step by taking off Casemiro and brought on two attackers which finally worked out for him.This was a slap for everyone who criticizing Zidane's tactics. The Real Madrid gameplay was to keep possession and reduce the opponent attacks and the final substitution made him win the game which perfectly worked out whereas Emery made last year's mistake at Camp Nou by trying to protect the goal they had, which eventually backfired for him. PSG can still advance if they understood the mistakes they did and finishes off chances well.
PSG still has a long way to go
At the beginning of the season, after the successful transfer window claiming both star players Neymar and Mbappe, PSG announced they will fight for the UCL which is the only competition they lag. Everyone agreed on this considering their blistering form with the front three of Neymar Cavani and Mbappe. They destroyed most of the teams in Ligue 1. At the R16 every team prayed to avoid PSG as their opponent due to this fact. But as the first leg of the UCL R16 ends, questions are still raised about their mentality at big games as they lose to Real Madrid to 3 goals to 1.
They still lack the maturity to compete in such a tournament which is evident when they ruined a 4-0 lead at the Camp Nou last year. This is too there is not much change even after the arrival of big stars. If PSG wants to qualify, they need to make correct decisions and have a right mentality during these competitions if they want to qualify further forward.
The tie can go either way
Even if PSG lost the first leg 3-1, they still can qualify for the quarters. Considering the fact that Madrid is having their worst season in a long time and are already out of two competitions. Madrid defense is shaky, they concede a lot of goals against both big and small teams, so if PSG forwards can take advantage of that PSG can still qualify. Also, PSG is undefeated at Parc de France for a long time and it is also where they thumbed Barcelona to a 4-0 defeat, so Madrid is no exception.
With the right tactics and mentality, which they lacked at the first leg, they can manage to pull a victory and advance to the next round.
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