However, their win rate from their last 10 Champions League knockout ties after going down a goal in the first leg is only 10 per cent.

They had previously met in the Champions League group stage in 2020, where PSG humbled Madrid 3-0 at home before earning a 2-2 draw weeks later.

Madrid have only lost once in their last five against PSG in European competition, while PSG have only won one of their last eight Champions League away matches against Spanish opposition.

Mbappe injury (and transfer) fears

The 23-year-old Mbappe has been PSG’s most influential player this season despite Lionel Messi and Neymar being expected to share the burden.

But there are fears over his fitness after Mbappe suffered an injury in training on Monday, with footage emerging of a teammate accidentally stepping on his foot during an intense rondo drill.

Sources have since told ESPN and Le Parisien that the subsequent MRI revealed no fracture, with the club confirming further tests before determining whether he would be fit for the midweek tie against Madrid.

With 19 goals in all competitions this season, and Madrid stars Casemiro, Ferland Mendy and Toni Kroos likely to be out of action, Mbappe would be sorely missed.

Madrid is also thought to be Mbappe’s next destination after he announced his intention to leave Paris last August, and having previously expressed his desire to play for Los Blancos in the future.

The Frenchman’s contract runs out this summer and he has been rejecting lucrative new deals, as Europe’s top teams circle.

Paris opted not to sell him to Madrid for a huge fee last summer and instead retained him in the hopes of a legendary forward link-up with Messi and Neymar as they eye an ever-elusive first Champions League title.

Some insiders believe a successful tie will change his mind over a contract renewal, while Spanish and French media have claimed Mbappe already has a verbal agreement with Madrid president Florentino Perez to join them in the summer.

Pressure on Carlo Ancelotti

Mbappe tucked home an injury-time winner to cap a dominant first-leg performance at the Parc des Princes in February.

Overturning a 1-goal deficit is still well within reach for the 13-time European champions.

But Madrid manager Ancelotti has received criticism from president Perez and the club’s fans for the underwhelming first-leg performance, where PSG could easily have put the tie to bed.

Several fans have even accused the Italian boss of negative tactics and trying to play for a draw, even though the away goal rule has been scrapped this season.

Ancelotti has an opportunity to change the narrative in the all-important second leg. The pair’s three respective games since the first leg suggest Real are in much better form, with Ancelotti saying Madrid’s three consecutive wins “give us a lot of hope” for a turnaround.

In the opposite dug-out, PSG coach Maurricio Pochettino will also be heavily analysed as he remains a front-runner for Manchester United’s vacant full-time position in the summer. The Argentine has also been rumoured to be in the running to replace Ancelotti.

Sergio Ramos

The former Madrid captain and club legend has missed PSG’s last seven games because of a persistent injury, and had not trained with the team until Sunday. However, Pochettino did not rule out the Spaniard’s involvement, though he is unlikely to be named in the starting line-up.

Spanish media outlets have already hyped his return to the Bernabeu, with a very warm reception expected for the man who guided Madrid to four Champions League trophies – including the fabled “La Decima” in 2014, Madrid’s 10th European Cup.

Ramos did not have a chance to bid his fans farewell on the pitch before his stunning move to Paris last summer. Meanwhile, Parisians are still uncertain about Ramos, who has barely played for his new team.

Player and club will hope his two-year contract, which does not feature a cancellation clause, finally proves worthwhile, as PSG continue their search for their first Champions League trophy.