Real Madrid Vs PSG: The Starting 11

The upcoming match is against PSG at home, currently they are at the top and Real are 2nd on the leader-board of their group in champions league. The last game against PSG was a disaster and qualification is still not confirmed Madrid is not going to take any risks this time.

First I would like to see the 

Injury list:

1. Asensio
2. James
3. Lucas Vazquez

Suspended:

1.     None 

Just recovered:

1. Marcelo
2. Nacho

Practiced:

 Nacho is practicing with the substitutes for the recovery session.
 Kroos and Isco also joined the recovery with the substitutes, where as Bale joined the starters for the recovery session indoors.

Skipped Practice:

None

Coach Comments:

• Nothing specific

Other Comments:

• A lot of comments about Mbappe and if Hazard would like him in the current team etc..

Squad Updates:

This is a crucial game for qualification to the knockouts. With Mendy playing the whole 90 minutes against Real Sociedad, it gives ZZ option to start Marcelo completely fresh. So Marcelo, Ramos, Varane and Carvajal should start, more so with the great work over the past few games by the defence.

In the goal Courtois will start, with clean sheets in the last 5 games of the 6 and only one goal which was a defensive error due to Ramos, things look definitely positive.

As all the four mid-fielders, Modric, Kroos, Casemiro and Valverde are performing at the top level, it will be a tough decision for ZZ. Kroos has not played more minutes in the last game and should be a starter along with Casemiro. So, Kroos, Casemiro and Valverde should start. Isco will be seen as a substitute for Kroos and Modric for Valverde depending on the score line. In this line up I prefer Valverde over Modric due to his defensive performance and work rate.

As Lucas Vazquez and James have been injured and Rodrygo played more minutes than Bale, ZZ might give Bale a surprise start ahead of  Rodrygo. So, Hazard, Benzema and Bale should start. And will have Vinicius, Rodrygo and Jovic as substitutes depending on the work rate of the starting players.

So the final starting 11 will be:

PSG Vs Real Madrid: The Starting 11 Post Match

The team started with the predicted starting 11, and as believed it was the best option available.

Even the subs were as expected, only James went out instead of Benzema as there were requirement of 2 goals.

The analysis is fairly simple, Real were poor in every department, attack, mid-field, defence and goal keeping.

They started well in the first few minutes, controlling ball and moving forward.

In my opinion PSG were more confident and got luck with the first goal, the break was there but both defence and goal keeper should have done better.

Even after the 14th minute goal team was fine, seemed deflated a bit but were still creating chances but not able to shoot on the target. Forwards were getting frustrated, mid-field was slowing down and getting tired, but once the 2nd goal happened in the 33rd minute the team just lost hope. And this goal was because defence just gave enough space, the marking was not off, but the pressing was too poor.

Clear indication from the game that Kroos just wanted to give the ball to James even when he was not ready. Kross passed many random passes which is generally not the case, he was not in control for most of the game. He kept making wrong judgements, mostly due to 

• Lack of coordination with James, Hazard and at times with Casemiro (lack of trust and self-confidence to hold)
• Good pressing from PSG all throughout

Errors in midfield were common, they were not controlling the game. They were just going with the pace, and lack of trust and confidence was visible.

The defence was not bad, but were always caught chasing the ball, the players need to be in sync and defence should be more like one unit, in case of problem goal keeper should be involved. But Courtois was not guiding the defensive play, he needs to be the organizer and provide direction to be solid at the back.

Attack were fizzling out due to mid-fields wrong passes and lack of penetration.

2nd half was even worse, Casemiro was in attack and no one was trying to recover the ball, he seemed too slow to go back. James till he was there showed intent and played well but was not able to connect well with the other two.

Attack was okay and were able to push the PSG defence and mid-field back but they lacked goals to show their finishing skills. So, finishing is still a worry, even when they scored were ruled out by VAR (twice) and rightly so.

Need to improve on all dimensions and more on showing intention of playing, else the season is over.

Finishing: 0⭐ (0 out of 10 )

Creativity and control: 6⭐ (47% Possession and 10 chances and 2 goals ruled out.) 

Chances created: 7⭐( 10 chances vs 9 shots for PSG)

Passing: 8⭐(85% accuracy)
No Loose Balls: 2⭐ ( Several ball losses and easy counter attacking options)
Defensive Coordination: 3⭐( 2 goals due to defensive lapses and 3 corners)
Goal Keeping: 1⭐ (All misses no )
Over all: 3⭐ (Very Bad)

PSG Vs Real Madrid: The Starting 11

The upcoming match is against the PSG in Paris, they too have several injury and form worries themselves.

Current Squad Declared with Uefa:

https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2020/clubs/club=50051/squad/

(Source: Uefa.com)

First I would like to see the injury list:

1. Isco
2. Modric
3. Asensio
4. Valverde
5. Marcelo

Suspended:

1. Ramos 
2. Nacho

Just recovered:

1. Jovic 
2. James
3. Hazard
4. Brahim Diaz
5. Rodrygo

Practiced:

All except the injured lot.

Skipped Practice:

None

Coach Comments:

1. Hazard to start " BBH Sounds good"
2. Benzema to be the leader without Ramos and Marcelo.

So the line up seems Hazard to start on the left but will have a backup in Vinicius.

With Bale getting rest in la liga is certain to start on the right and switch to left time to time. James has been playing well and with most of the other mid fielders injures is certain to play behind Benzema.

Kroos and Casemiro will control the game in the mid.

With the suspension and injuries Mendy, Militao, Varane and Carvajal remain the defensive force, Odriozola might get some game time as several injuries would weaken the PSG forward a bit.

The final starting 11 should be:

And the subs should be: Vinicius, L Vazquez and Jovic