The odds will be against Paris Saint-Germain when they welcome Real Madrid for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 clash at the Parc des Princes but Les Parisiens have promised that they will not go down without a fight and Tuesday night’s clash promises to be a firecracker.

Already trailing 3-1 from the first leg, PSG were dealt a hammer blow when star man, and the world’s most expensive footballer, Neymar suffered a broken metatarsal in a Ligue 1 game last week and his subsequent foot surgery ruled him out of the clash in the French capital.

Advertisement

Unai Emery and the rest of his side have repeatedly stated that they aren’t a one-man team and that the tie is still not over, but who will step up in the Brazilian’s absence?

Also read: Arsene Wenger reveals reason behind resting Aaron Ramsey for Brighton clash

The Statesman runs the rule over the five players expected to be front and centre when the continental heavyweight’s clash lights up the Parc des Princes:

Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint-Germain)

Yes, Cavani has had a brilliant campaign simply by the number of goals he’s scored (32 and counting), but games like these are what every top footballer lives and breathes for.

Without any disrespect, scoring goals for fun in Ligue 1 is not the benchmark for a world-class striker, especially considering the skewed nature of the French top-flight after the petrodollar-fuelled rise of PSG.

Cavani’s been no slouch in Europe, for with six goals to his name, he is among the competitions’s top scorers but his ‘big-game’ record has been questionable of late.

The Uruguayan was a peripheral figure at the Santiago Bernabeu, barely getting a touch in the opposition box and a similar performance at home will effectively kill off Les Parisiens’ chances.

Can Neymar’s loss prove to be a blessing in disguise for the Uruguayan hitman?

He’s had his issues with his teammate and what better way to prove that nobody’s irreplaceable by firing PSG through to the quarters?

Cavani’s extremely mobile, excellent in the air and is deceptively strong. His finishing, however, could do with some improvement and the 31-year-old will simply have to put away the chances that fall his way come Tuesday.

Don’t miss: Footballing fraternity unites to pay tributes to Fiorentina captain Davide Astori

Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)

Much has been made of Karim Benzema’s struggles this season, but Real Madrid’s record signing—Gareth Bale— has not been in top gear either.

The pacey Welshman is under pressure from rising star Marco Asensio for a starting spot, with many suggesting the former Tottenham Hotspur winger’s price-tag is the sole reason Zinedine Zidane includes him in his XI’s.

That’s harsh, but Asensio can’t be kept off forever and the young Spaniard was the catalyst for both of Real’s late goals in the first leg.

Once touted as Cristiano Ronaldo’s successor, Bale’s not quite hit the mark despite winning everything every piece of silverware up for grabs since moving to Spain in 2013.

With PSG expected to dominate possession and be on the offensive from the word go, Los Blancos will be looking to spring Bale and Co. on the break.

In theory, the strategy seems tailor-made for the 28-year-old, but can he justify his presence on the pitch with an outstanding performance away from home?

Bale’s had sub-par seasons in the past, but in the end everything was forgiven as he came up big on a big occasion, especially in Europe.

After overtaking David Beckham as the highest-capped British player on the weekend, the flying winger will be itching to prove he’s still the real deal, but will he show his markers a clean set of heels or find the going tough?

Also read: Arsene Wenger reveals reason behind resting Aaron Ramsey for Brighton clash

Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)

Edinson Cavani, due to his vast experience of top-flight football, may have a lot to prove against Real Madrid but so does Kylian Mbappe.

Arguably the most exciting teenager in world football at the moment, plenty is expected from the vaunted forward.

While he did initiate the attack that lead to the opener, Mbappe faded afterwards and neither his sizzling pace nor his mazy dribbles were on display as Real recovered to clinch the first leg.

As mentioned earlier, dominating the French league is not what PSG paid Monaco €180 million (to be paid at the end of the season) for.

At 19, the world’s at the Frenchman’s feet but not for long as football is always evolving and plenty of world-class prospects have fizzled out into has-beens in a blink of an eye.

All eyes will be on him as he renews his duel with Marcelo on the right flank and it’s not a stretch to say Les Parisiens’ hopes rest on his young shoulders.

Marcelo (Real Madrid)

An injury doubt for Tuesday’s clash, Real’s buccaneering fullback could hold the key to Tuesday’s contest in Paris.

How often have we seen the Brazilian pop up with a vital late goal for Los Blancos?

PSG will hate the sight of Marcelo, for his third goal gave Zinedine Zidane’s men a clear advantage heading into the return fixture.

Like the rest of his teammates, the 29-year-old had a sluggish start to the tie but recovered in stupendous fashion to hold a definitive lead at the end of 90 minutes in the first leg.

His task, once again, will be to mark PSG’s hotshot—Kylian Mbappe— and their duel will be one of many engaging sub-plots that unfold at the Parc des Princes.

Neither player lacks pace, but Mbappe’s dribbling skills can bamboozle the best of defenders and Marcelo will have to shrug off any rustiness he may have due to his lack of playing-time if Real are to progress at PSG’s expense.

For if Les Parisiens can score an early goal, the pressure will be on the defending champions and Marcelo will look to avoid such a scenario for the French outfit possess enough firepower, even without Neymar, to breach any defence.

Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain)

If Giovani Lo Celso had a shocker in the first leg, Marco Verratti was the complete opposite.

The diminutive Italian, helped by Adrien Rabiot, dominated the Real midfield without breaking a sweat but due to their teammate’s clumsy challenge on Toni Kroos in the box towards the close of the first-half, Los Blancos were handed a golden chance to level proceedings and from thereon, the momentum of the tie swung back in the favour of the defending champions.

While the first goal was certainly not the combative Italian’s fault, he could have done more to shield his defence for the second and third.

Real are second-to-none when it comes to playing on the counter and a player of Verratti’s calibre should have known better.

Due to his lack of physicality, the 25-year-old has to get his positioning spot-on each time if Real’s attacking forays are to be nipped in the bud.

Effectively their midfield general as old dog Thiago Motta plays less and less these days, Verratti is among the best enforcers around and it’s not a surprise to see him linked with the likes of Barcelona and Real every week but the time’s come to justify those bold rumours.

PSG have some of the best forward lines in world football, yes, but so do Real and conceding an early away goal would be disastrous for Les Parisiens.

Along with Rabiot, Verratti will look to stamp his authority on a mammoth tie such as this and his clashes with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos (provided they play) will make for arresting viewing.