THE Champions League draw for the last-16 brought together two giants of European football as Paris Saint-Germain will face Real Madrid over two legs in February.
Putting two heavyweight clubs against each other is a mouth-watering prospect, especially as an early exit is unacceptable for both clubs.
Football Whispers look towards the clash and pick out the main battles which should decide who goes through to the quarter-finals.
Paris Saint-Germain are leading Ligue 1, winning 14 of 17 fixtures and scoring 51 goals.
However, defeat to Strasbourg in the league and the 3-1 loss at Bayern Munich has questioned their credentials as possible Champions League winners.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are eight points behind Barcelona in La Liga. It is unlikely Zinedine Zidane’s side will be able to catch the Catalan club, which puts even more importance on regaining the trophy they won in Cardiff. Not since 2010 have the Madrid side limped out of the competition at this stage. Their opposition that year were French side Lyon.
Who will come out on top? Here are the key battles which could decide this top European clash.
Neymar v Dani Carvajal
When PSG spent £200million to bring Neymar to the Parc des Princes, they didn’t do so to win Ligue 1; the Brazilian’s arrival was to take the Parisians to the next level in the Champions League.
Contributing to 15 goals domestically and nine in Europe, the 25-year-old has settled well, but come February he’ll need to step up again. The spotlight will be on Neymar, fading into the shadows will not be accepted.
Playing off the left flank, he will be up against Carvajal, who has become one of the best full-backs in Europe playing for Los Blancos.
The 25-year-old saw off the competition from Danilo, now he has recovered from a virus which saw him miss six weeks of action, he’ll be firing on all cylinders ready to cut the Brazilian superstar down to size.
Edinson Cavani v Sergio Ramos
In Ligue 1, the Uruguayan striker has scored 17 goals in 15 starts. He is on course to score over 40 goals this term, something Zlatan Ibrahimovic never managed.
The league record is 44, meaning Cavani will be keen to continue his run of form going into the New Year.
After Neymar’s arrival, the 30-year-old is benefiting from being freed of the responsibility of being PSG’s star-man. Goals have followed.
Sergio Ramos is a warrior at the heart of the Real defence and he will be tasked with stopping Cavani, usually be any means necessary. He doesn’t shirk the dirty side of the game, he relishes the challenge and stopping an in-form striker is right up his alley.
Cristiano Ronaldo v Thiago Silva
Being announced as the Ballon d’Or winner for a record-equalling fifth time will mean nothing to Cristiano Ronaldo if Real are knocked out in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The Portugal international broke a record by scoring in every group game this term, he will fancy his chances at finding the net against the club who wanted to sign him.
Up against the forward will be Thiago Silva.
Once regarded as one of the best defenders in Europe, his status as an elite defender is up for debate.
If he can stop Ronaldo and help PSG famously eliminate Real, Silva will be able to silence his critics.
From The Sun
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