Marcelo says PSG clash will be like ‘a final’

Real Madrid defender Marcelo has labelled tonight’s Group A showdown against Paris St Germain “a final”.

The sides drew 0-0 in Paris two weeks ago and neither has conceded a goal in their opening three games. They will meet at the Bernabeu level on seven points at the top of the pool.

Real Madrid defender Marcelo said: “I’m expecting a very difficult match.

“Paris St Germain are a side that has players of very high quality. It will be a difficult match, a key match in our season. All the players want to play in it. It’s like a final. We will approach this match with a lot of enthusiasm.”

Los Blancos are boosted by the return of keeper Keylor Navas, defender Sergio Ramos and midfielder James Rodriguez. They missed Saturday’s 3-1 win over Las Palmas.

Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Alvaro Arbelo remain sidelined with injuries.

PSG warmed up for the encounter in Madrid with a 1-0 victory over Rennes on Friday, courtesy of Angel Di Maria’s goal, which lifted the defending French champions 10 points clear of Lyon at the top of the Ligue 1 standings.

Di Maria returns to the Bernabeu for the first time since leaving the club in the summer of 2014. He has scored four goals and set up three more in nine games for PSG, though he did not quite have an impact in the first encounter against his old club.

“I think that Di Maria will receive a warm welcome,” Marcelo said. “He’s a great player, but we can’t afford to concentrate on one single Paris player. We need to keep an eye on the whole team.”