Sid Lowe and the ESPN FC panel contend that Real Madrid will struggle to up their game enough to defeat PSG. The ESPN FC crew answer your tweets on why Ernesto Valverde starts Andre Gomes, how PSG should approach Real Madrid and more.
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has denied a local media report that he wants to sell Isco, and said that, despite the team's lack of consistency through recent months, he still believes his current squad can turn their season around.
With Madrid 19 points behind runaway La Liga leaders Barcelona, and already eliminated from the Copa del Rey by neighbours Leganes, even captain Sergio Ramos has admitted that the upcoming Champions League tie with Paris Saint-Germain is the "final card they have to play" in 2017-18.
Ahead of that game, the local media have been speculating about a summer shake-up at the Bernabeu, with Zidane himself reported to have told club president Florentino Perez he wanted to sell playmaker Isco.
Potential new signings also could include Chelsea's Eden Hazard, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski, all of whom have appeared on the cover of Marca in recent days.
Zinedine Zidane said he believes in his players, which is why he made no moves in the January transfer window.
Speaking at a news conference ahead of Saturday's league game at home against Real Sociedad, Zidane said the Isco report was just not true, as his unwillingness to sign any reinforcements in the winter window showed the faith he had in his current squad.
"You were all asking before why I did not want to sign players in January," Zidane said. "It is because I believe in my team. When I begin something, I go to the death with what I have. I want Isco to spend all his career here. That will not change. He is a very good footballer, he has shown that, and can always show that, so [the report] is a lie. I am happy you asked me so I can answer this."
Cristiano Ronaldo has been among the Madrid players criticised for below-par performances through this campaign, but Zidane said the Portugal captain, 33, and his teammates were looking to the PSG game as a chance to put things right.
"Maybe [Ronaldo] is more motivated at the moment," Zidane said, "and wants to show what he can do. There have been moments when he has not scored goals, but he will always be there in the important moments. We know the reality we have. That it will be a difficult game, but these are the games that the players like."
.@GarethBale11 recibe el trofeo como #Jugador5EstrellasRM del @realmadrid en enero. ¡Enhorabuena Gareth!