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PSG to play four up front against Real Madrid?

PSG to play four up front against Real Madrid?

UEFA Champions League
Publish on 11/23 at 08:00

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PSG have already qualified from UEFA Champions League Group A, but could play each of Neymar Jr., Kylian Mbappé, Mauro Icardi and Angel Di Maria as they chase the win against Real Madrid which would guarantee top spot.

Paris Saint-Germain travel to Madrid's Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday having won a perfect four from four games in Europe this term, including a 3-0 victory in September's reverse fixture at the Parc des Princes.

Strength in depth

Neymar and Mbappé both missed that game with injury but are back in action - the former made way for the latter 65 minutes into PSG's 2-0 win over LOSC on Friday - while Icardi and Di Maria were both on the scoresheet.

With Edinson Cavani also in the mix, coach Thomas Tuchel has something of a selection headache, but such is PSG's headstart in Europe - 10 goals scored, none conceded, a five-point cushion on second-place Real - that could throw caution to the wind.

"We must try," he said with a smile when asked if he could start Neymar, Mbappé, Icardi and Di Maria at the same time. "But if we do that, we have to think about how to balance the team, how to control our opponents' attacks.

'Chance to try'

"It's not easy. We must think if we can be balanced or too attacking. But we have the chance to try."

Mbappé, Icardi and Di Maria have accounted for nine of PSG's 10 goals on the continent this season, with Neymar yet to feature and Edinson Cavani reduced to just 18 minutes of action. The Brazilian's minutes were restricted on Friday, something Tuchel said was necessary.

"I'm not worried about Neymar. I wasn't expecting toom much from him. He missed six weeks, which is a lot for a player like him. He needs time to find his rhythm for his dribbles. It was necessary that he played the first hour.

"I made tough decisions last season too. It's never easy to tell Edi he's not starting. Do you think it's easy to tell Neymar he has to come off in the 60th minute? It's not easy, but it's my job."