Madrid (AFP)

For his long-awaited debut in the Champions League, Neymar could not dream of a better poster: PSG, already qualified for the round of 16, offers a "big test" Tuesday in Madrid against the Real Zinédine Zidane, determined to prove his true worth.

Stars in top form, like "serial-goals" Karim Benzema and Mauro Icardi, missing back mark, like the duo Neymar - Kylian Mbappé, two teams in form, a prestigious stadium ... The shock Group A promises to be even more "galactic" than the first leg (PSG 3-0 win), despite a more limited sporting challenge.

Since the lesson for the Madrilenians at Parc des Princes, Thiago Silva's teammates have completed a perfect European campaign to qualify in the second round on the fourth day, all without conceding a goal.

Last mission to complete: confirm his leading position (1st, 12 points) against Real (2nd, 7 pts) to give himself a chance to fall on a more favorable opponent on the paper, during the draw of the 8th, the December 16th.

"A great test," warned Thomas Tuchel, while his opponent, reinvigorated by his recent good result after his chaotic start to the season, must imperatively make a result to clinch his qualification.

"It's completely different to go to many reasons because we play in Madrid, Bernabeu, perhaps the most difficult stage in Europe.The Real plays with Sergio Ramos, his leader, it's another team with him, it's clear, "warned the German technician.

- "Luxury issues" for Tuchel and his stars -

Especially since, for the first time this season, the Parisian coach will have all his offensive arsenal, with the return of Neymar, absent from the first four days, between suspension and injury.

If Icardi has already managed to relegate Edinson Cavani, top scorer in the history of PSG, in a role of luxury joker, remain two places for three "cracks" to compose the trident attack. Who from "Ney", Mbappé or Angel Di Maria will be sacrificed?

"Problems of luxury", estimates the Parisian side Thomas Meunier. "All the coaches in the world would like to have problems like that," said teammate Marquinhos, "it will not be easy, but he will have to make choices."

In view of his lackluster performance against Lille (2-0) Friday, Neymar seems the least well placed. For his return to the field after more than a month of absence, the Brazilian N.10 delivered its worst performance since the end of August before going out on time for the benefit of Mbappé.

- Madrid, another face to confirm -

Remains a daring solution to satisfy almost everyone: to align a fourth offensive player in a 4-2-3-1, risky but plausible option due in particular to the uncertainty surrounding the middle Marco Verratti, back in the group after his knee injury.

"It's a moment, for me, maybe a little difficult," Tuchel acknowledged. "It's clear that difficult decisions can happen, but we're ready to accept them tactically or personally, we're smart, it's also necessary to fight a team like Real Madrid."

On the other side, Zidane seems to have found the right formula with Hazard, the star of the summer transfer window, and the Brazilian nugget Rodrygo, around the attack leader Karim Benzema.

"KB9", Liga's top scorer with 10 goals, intends to confirm his start to the season to help his team continue their good run since the worrying draw against Bruges in Santiago Bernabeu (2-2) and the defeat in Majorca (1- 0) last October.

This gala match against Paris, is this the perfect opportunity to confirm this renewal? "Yes, I think," Zidane replied on Monday at a press conference "We've definitely changed since then (the first leg) It's not a revenge, we want to make a big game, show our qualities, and confirm what we do lately ".

Faced with "a superb team" PSG "is among the best in the world", in his own words, "ZZ" especially hoped "it will be a great match". "That's what everyone wants to see, and I think we'll have it," he said. Place to the show!

© 2019 AFP