PSG VS Real Madrid: PSG starting XI for Champions League clash
Achraf Hakimi is back training following his thigh muscle issues and Sergio Ramos could enter the squad list for Wednesday's return leg.
PSG are clearing out their casualty room with their crucial Champions League tie at the Santiago Bernabéu just days away. Achraf Hakimi returned to full training this weekend and seems to be over his recent thigh muscle problems. The Moroccan full-back is expected to enter the squad list to face his old club.
The former Real Madrid defender fell injured in training at the end of February and missed PSG's last two Ligue 1 games, against Saint-Étienne and Nice. According to Le Parisien, Achraf trained as normal at Camp des Loges on Sunday although he is likely to be reassessed on Tuesday when Mauricio Pochettino must decide whether or not he is in conditions to play. Elsewhere, Leandro Paredes, who was omitted from the squad list for the Nice game as a precaution, has recovered from his abductor issues and should be included in the PSG squad that travels to Madrid. Like Achraf, it will be medical staff who determine whether he is fit enough to start the match - PSG have been very cautious with players returning from injury since the season started.
Sergio Ramos' situation is slightly different. There is a chance that he could be included in the travelling squad but that doesn't mean he is guaranteed to play. The Spain international has been training apart and hasn't played a competitive match since 23 January. Pochettino could bring him along simply to help give emotional support and lend his vast experience in calming nerves among the younger players. He is no stranger to huge games like this although it is highly unlikely that he will play - his only chance of gaining minutes is if PSG have killed the tie off, the coach might decide to bring him right at the end.
Otherwise, PSG will be more or less at full strength and Pochettino is expected to field a similar side that won the first leg 1-0 in Paris. Unlike Madrid, he has no players out suspended. The only real question marks are whether to field Gini Wijnaldum instead of Leandro while Neymar, who only recently returned from an ankle injury and missed the first leg, has a chance of starting ahead of Di María.
PSG's confirmed starting XI vs Real Madrid
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Nuno Mendes; Danilo, Paredes, Verratti; Mbappé, Messi, Neymar