Real Madrid vs PSG - Navas back for Real Madrid ahead of "final" clash against PSG
Posted Tuesday, November 03, 2015 by PA
Real Madrid defender Marcelo has labelled Tuesday's Group A showdown against Paris St Germain "a final".
The sides drew 0-0 in Paris two weeks ago and neither has conceded a goal in their opening three games. They head into the encounter at the Bernabeu level on seven points and at the top of the pool.
Only goal difference keeps PSG top, with Brazil international and Real Madrid defender Marcelo saying on his club's official website. "I'm expecting a very difficult match.
"Paris St Germain are a side that has players of very high quality. It will be a difficult match, a key match in our season.
"All the players want to play in it. It's like a final. We will approach this match with a lot of enthusiasm."
Los Blancos head into the encounter boosted by the return of goalkeeper Keylor Navas, defender Sergio Ramos and midfielder James Rodriguez.
The three players were carrying knocks and missed Saturday's 3-1 win over Las Palmas but each is set to start against PSG.
Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Alvaro Arbeloa are still sidelined with injuries and will not play on Tuesday.
Real, coached by Rafa Benitez, are level on 24 points with Barcelona but lead La Liga on goal difference, while PSG travel to Spain also leading their domestic standings.
They warmed up for the encounter in Madrid with a 1-0 victory at Stade Rennais on Friday, courtesy of Angel Di Maria's goal, which lifted the defending French champions 10 points clear of Lyon at the top of the Ligue 1 standings.
Di Maria will be hoping to increase his tally when he returns to the Bernabeu for the first time since leaving the club in the summer of 2014.
The Argentinian international, who won the Champions League as a Real player in the 2013-14 campaign, has been in terrific form since joining PSG from Manchester United this summer.
Di Maria has scored four goals and set up three more in nine games for PSG, although he did not quite have an impact in the first encounter against his old club.
"I think that Di Maria will receive a warm welcome," Marcelo said. "He's a great player.
"But we can't afford to concentrate on one single Paris player. We need to keep an eye on the whole team."
PSG, trying to capture the European title for the first time this season, are confident they can return home with three points.
"We are looking to play our football and defeat Real," PSG captain Thiago Silva said on Psg.fr. "We can still play a good game in Spain, despite the fact that we just drew 0-0 at home.
"When we play against a very strong side like this, it's 50-50. Both sides can win. I think we will play better in Madrid than we did in Paris."
PSG, coached by Laurent Blanc, are without the services of Marquinhos, out injured, while Javier Pastore is sidelined with conjunctivitis.
Brazilian defender David Luiz has travelled to Madrid having recovered from a knee injury.
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