Five keys to a Real Madrid comeback against PSG

Real Madrid take on Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night as they look to book their place in the draw for the Champions League's quarter-finals.

Their mission is anything but easy after having been defeated 1-0 in the first leg of the last-16 tie in Paris, courtesy of a Kylian Mbappe goal in second-half stoppage time.

However, Carlo Ancelotti's side still have a chance to turn the tie around. Here, we break down the keys to a potential comeback.

Kroos is doubtful

Toni Kroos trained with the ball on Monday and the final decision about whether he will be available is expected to be made after Tuesday's session.

Should he miss out, Real Madrid will lose the player who dictates the tempo for Los Blancos in midfield. Meanwhile, Casemiro will miss the game due to suspension, which means that Eduardo Camavinga and Fede Valverde could start in midfield alongside Luka Modric.

Although Kroos' absence is not confirmed, it will most likely be Modric who will be in charge of assuming his role.

Nacho... or Marcelo

Ferland Mendy is not going to be at Carlo Ancelotti's disposal due to suspension, and the Italian coach has decided against moving David Alaba to left-back.

This means that it will be either Nacho Fernandez or Marcelo who will fill in for the Frenchman, with the most likely scenario being that the Real Madrid academy product comes in for Mendy.

The right wing position

Ancelotti will have to choose between Marco Asensio and Rodrygo Goes when it comes to the player who will start alongside Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema in attack.

Asensio is more of an attacking threat in terms of goals scored when compared to Rodrygo this season, but it should not be ruled out that the Italian tactician opts for the Brazilian forward.

Pressure high up the pitch

Ancelotti's idea is that his Real Madrid side will press high up the pitch in Wednesday's match at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Los Blancos put it into practice in the first half of their league match against Real Sociedad last Saturday, which saw the Basque team's defenders have to make rushed decisions.

However, PSG boast top-class forwards such as Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar, who can create danger on the counter-attack.

The Bernabeu atmosphere

PSG played the first match on home soil, but Real Madrid's fans are expected to play a huge role in their team's bid to turn the game around at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

There is a lot at stake against PSG, more than just getting through to the Champions League quarter-finals, as two club models are facing each other, and Real Madrid fans are aware that the atmosphere could be key in pushing their side towards a successful comeback.

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