Real Madrid vs PSG: 5 key player battles that will decide the outcome of the match

#2 Cristiano Ronaldo vs Thiago Silva

All eyes are on the big man

Real Madrid's biggest hope of overcoming the French challenge is undoubtedly Cristiano Ronaldo. The leading European goalscorer at the moment with nine goals has played brilliantly so far in the competition. 2018 has also been kind to the Portuguese until now with the forward even scoring a hattrick last Saturday.

Starting on the left, Ronaldo will cut inside and will play as a secondary striker to Karim Benzema against PSG. The job of handling Ronaldo's threat will be on the shoulders of none other than PSG's captain Thiago Silva. The Brazilian centre-back is considered by many as one of the best in the business but Silva has yet to prove his talents on the biggest of stages for the Parisians.

Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo offer him a perfect opportunity to shut his critics down and lead his side efficiently from the back. Meanwhile, Ronaldo has been criticized a lot this season and the match against PSG has hence emerged as one of the biggest tests for the club's talisman in recent years.