PSG possible starting lineup for Ligue 1 encounter against Nantes

Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr. Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi of PSG
Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr. Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi of PSG

Left-winger - Neymar Jr.

Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid: Round Of Sixteen Leg One - UEFA Champions League
Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid: Round Of Sixteen Leg One - UEFA Champions League

Neymar Jr. didn't start against Real Madrid. He came on for the last 17 minutes of the game and that was enough for the Brazilian to make an impact. Neymar Jr. provided a lovely backheel assist for Kylian Mbappe's goal.

The 30-year-old was sidelined for two-and-a-half months after picking up an ankle injury in late November. He has returned at the perfect time as far as PSG are concerned.

The first thing that Neymar did after getting ahold of the ball was take three or four Real Madrid players on. The Brazilian international looked happy to be back on the field and will make this already in-form PSG attack even more intimidating.

Centre-forward - Lionel Messi

Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid: Round Of Sixteen Leg One - UEFA Champions League
Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid: Round Of Sixteen Leg One - UEFA Champions League

Lionel Messi missed a penalty against Real Madrid. He fluffed his lines and Thibaut Courtois made a considerably easy save to keep Los Blancos in the game. However, it would be unfair to reduce Messi's performance against Real Madrid to his worst moment.

Unlike what the tabloids would have you believe, Messi did do quite a few good things on the pitch in midweek. He released Mbappe in on goal with a lovely flighted through ball in the first half. Messi also resisted the press well on several occasions.

He played the pass to Mbappe which eventually led to Dani Carvajal conceding a penalty. Messi also played Neymar in with a lovely through ball into the box in the 87th minute of the game but nothing came of it. The 34-year-old might not have been at his best but his average is still a pretty high standard.

Right-winger - Kylian Mbappe

Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid: Round Of Sixteen Leg One - UEFA Champions League
Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid: Round Of Sixteen Leg One - UEFA Champions League

Kylian Mbappe was the star of the show against Real Madrid. He was a constant threat down the left flank and looked unstoppable. His goal was a thing of beauty, darting through two defenders before slotting the ball home between Courtois' legs in stoppage time.

Mbappe is arguably the best attacker in the game right now and he has been in sublime form this season. With Neymar back to full fitness, we'll see more of the MSN trio this Saturday against Nantes.

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Edited by Shambhu Ajith
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