Neymar May Return as PSG Host Real Madrid

Neymar could play his first game for Paris St-Germain since November when they host Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie tonight.

The Brazilian is back in training after suffering an ankle injury.

Ex-Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos is PSG’s only absentee as he continues to struggle with a calf problem.

“Given the players involved this could have been the final,” said PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Pochettino’s side lost in the semi-finals to Manchester City last season and the pressure is growing on the former Tottenham boss to deliver a first European title to the French side.

The Qatar-owned club lost the 2020 final to Bayern Munich but before that had gone out in the last 16 in three straight seasons.

Lionel Messi, who signed from Barcelona in the summer, has scored five of his seven goals for the club in the Champions League and also netted a record 26 times against Real Madrid during his time at Barca.

“PSG have been trying to win this trophy for 50 years, so we are the challengers,” said Pochettino, whose team are 13 points clear at the top of Ligue 1.

“We have so much respect for Real Madrid as one of the best teams in the world. You don’t win 13 European Cups thanks to your coaches, that is down to the overall strength of the club.

“We are the challengers, a lot of effort has gone into building a squad to achieve our dream but we’re still the challengers and Real Madrid are the ones who have a habit of winning the Champions League.”

TONIGHT(9pm)

PSG v Real Madrid

Sporting CP v Man City

WEDNESDAY

FC Salzburg v B’Munich

Inter v Liverpool