Feb 14, 2018
Real Madrid host Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their last-16 tie tonight (7.45pm) at the Bernabeu.
Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar has been touted as a potential replacement for Ronaldo, with some reports suggesting he could be allowed to move to the Spanish capital providing he helps his side lift Europe’s biggest prize this term.
Ronaldo meanwhile, has had a quieter season by his standards, although he warmed up for the Champions League with a hat-trick in the 5-2 win over Real Sociedad last Saturday.
In Europe once again, he has been on fire, and scored nine times in six group matches.
Neymar and Ronaldo are both likely to have a big say on the outcome of the tie.
But Zidane thinks the match is more than just about two of the game’s biggest players.
“We talk about two great players but tomorrow it’s Real Madrid v Paris Saint-Germain, not Neymar vs Cristiano,” he said.
“We can talk about a player like Cristiano, who has done amazing things in the game and won five Ballon d’Ors, but everyone can see Neymar’s quality on the pitch.
Zinedine Zidane thinks the game is more than just about Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar
“He’s a quality player but we don’t want to see a duel between Cristiano and Neymar, we want to see Real Madrid v Paris Saint-Germain.”
Real, who are 17 points behind Barcelona in La Liga, will be hoping to put their domestic woes behind him.
PSG meanwhile, are in flying form in Ligue 1 and are 12 points clear of nearest challengers Monaco.
