The UEFA Champions League is back with a bang as LIonel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain host Real Madrid on Tuesday in the round of 16. The first leg, set for a 3 p.m. ET kickoff at the Parc de Princes, will air live on both CBS and Paramount+. A battle of two true title contenders, PSG enter as the favorites with Real striker Karim Benzema is in the starting XI for the first time in over three weeks as he’s been dealing with a hamstring injury.
A friendly reminder that the away goals rule is no longer in play, meaning all goals count the same across the two legs. Ahead of kickoff, our James Benge gives you his bold predictions for the Champions League knockout stages, and here you will find our expert picks for this week’s games.
CBS Sports will be with you the entire way providing updates, analysis and highlights below.
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How to watch, odds
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 15 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Parc des Princes — Paris, France
TV: CBS | Live stream: Paramount+
Odds: PSG +100; Draw +260; Real +260 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
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A poor first half from Real
They aren’t seeing the ball, they aren’t creating chances, but they are defending well. A strange half where Los Blancos were not allowed to create anything going forward. All to play for in the second half. Carvajal is having a rough time, and PSG’s pressure is giving them problems. Feels like a match where Fede Valverde could make a difference as a sub.
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Stalemate
Heading towards the break and it remains goalless. PSG’s momentum has disappeared a little and Real are coming back into it. Still goalless, though, while Casemiro has picked up a booking which rules him out of the return leg.
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Crumpled Carvajal
Somebody pour the Real man a stiff drink at half-time because he is being run *ragged* by Mbappe and Mendes so far. PSG have definitely identified him as the easiest route to goal so far.
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24′ PSG knocking on the door
It hasn’t been great from PSG, but they are seeing a lot of the ball and looking patient, waiting for space to open up through runs. Messi is sitting quite deep to try and get things going, but Real are holding their defensive shape well.
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Parisien pressure
The hosts have started brighter so far with a few corners and that excellent early Di Maria opening. Mbappe is certainly a man on a mission this evening. Messi getting involved too as he adjusts to playing against Real in a totally different context.
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PSG with the stronger start
That’s 61.2 % possession for the hosts and the only shot of the game. They are controlling the pace well, getting it to the wings and finding Mbappe down the left. A promising start.
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5′ Nearly from PSG!!!
That was almost the opener at the Parc des Princes! Mbappe’s elusiveness and technical ability turns Carvajal inside out, as the Frenchman gets towards the endline and delivers a ball with pace into the box. On the other end was Angel di Maria, but he got under it, sending it way over the goal. A first real chance.
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Amazing atmosphere
Incredible stuff at Parc des Princes. Impossible not to be motivated as hosts PSG and intimidated as visitors Real. European nights in Paris are always special.
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UNDERWAY!!!
Here we go! Live on CBS and Paramount+, it’s the UEFA Champions League! Real are wearing their classic white adidas kits, while PSG have their Jordan home kits.
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The Que Golazo crew previews the game
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Benzema braced
Fit or not, the reception will be hot for the ex-Lyon man. Now back in the French national team too, he will be key to Real’s chances and Marquinhos as well as Kimpembe will have their hands full watching him.
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Paredes & Pereira
Interesting 2/3 of this PSG midfield given that Paredes and Pereira have been given the nod. One is workmanlike and the other can be a loose cannon if not fully focused. Pochettino will need to manage with care if the midfield needs an injection of creativity and some drive.
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Expert predictions — results
Eight of our experts have made their picks for this match, and here is how they break down:
PSG to win: 4
Draw: 3
Real to win: 1
Half of us, included yours truly, like PSG to get the first-leg victory in this one. Our newest member of the writing team, Chuck Booth, went with the bold 2-1 win for Real Madrid on the road. We’ll know in just a few ours who was right … or if we were both wrong.
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Neymar wildcard
PSG’s XI is now in and it is an interesting setup. No Neymar as was speculated — he starts on the bench ad probably for the better given his lack of action lately. The final 15-20 minutes could be very interesting if the Brazilian gets thrown on as expected. Donnarumma preferred to Navas and emotional reunions for Di Maria and Hakimi against their former employers.
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Man of the Match pick
Marquinhos.
The Brazilian often reserves his world-class best form for these UCL nights and they do not come much bigger than this. Real have plenty of potential match winners too with Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior both traveling, but the Parisien captain has the potential to silence both and strong performance from the Brazilian would go a long way towards helping to secure a good opening result for the hosts.
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Most likely to score a goal
Kylian Mbappe
If there was a game written for Mbappe to star home and away, it is this one. The French superstar will be the pre, mid and post-match focus around both legs and the chances of him taking center stage in at least one of these two showdown clashes are high.
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One matchup to watch
Marco Verratti vs. Luka Modric.
The two remain increasingly important to their respective sides despite the Italian maestro’s fragility and the Croat master’s 36 years of age. Assuming both are fully fit and involved from the off, the battle between the two midfielders as part of a larger bid for supremacy in the middle of the park promises to be unmissable. Verratti warmed up for Modri by facing his compatriot Lovro Majer in the narrow win over Stade Rennais and it was absorbing to watch. PSG’s tactical plan is unlikely to involve passing Real to death so the Azzurri star will be key as ever to Mauricio Pochettino’s plans and the hosts’ overall hopes of progression.
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PSG XI
It’s Messi, de Maria and Mbappe in attack for the hosts. Neymar is on the bench and could see his first action since November 28.
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Real Madrid team news
Karim Benzema makes the team, and he gets the start at striker. He’s joined in attack by Asensio and Vinicius Jr. No surprises in this XI for Carlo Ancelotti. Off the bench he’s got Hazard, Valverde, Camavinga and Rodrygo available, to name some.
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Don’t forget…
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Neymar to feature?
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PSG team news
Sergio Ramos has been ruled out through injury and although they will not start, Pochettino can call upon Idrissa Gueye and Abdou Diallo once more after Africa Cup of Nations duty with champions Senegal. Neymar is also expected to return to the group after a lengthy injury layoff.
“Leo is in good shape,” said Pochettino of Messi’s form. “It is a decisive game, and his talent will count as well as his experience. What he can pass on to his teammates is essential.”
“Neymar is confident,” Marquinhos said of his compatriot. “Even though he is lacking match fitness, he will give his all on the pitch. It is the boss who will decide how that might be.”
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Real Madrid team news
Benzema has missed three games and has been out 21 days due to a hamstring injury. Although his status remains up in the air, he spoke to the media on Monday and said he felt good. If he can’t go, we will likely see Vinicius Junior in attack alongside Marco Asensio. Backup striker Mariano Diaz is on the verge of returning from a pelvis injury, but he’s set to miss out on this match.
“Spending time on the sidelines is difficult. I’ve been working morning, noon and night at home and at Valdebebas to be fit for this one,” Benzema said Monday before training. “I’m mentally prepared, but now I have to go and see how I feel out on the pitch. I’m here to help my team, it’s a massive match and if I play I’ll be giving my all out there. I’ll always force myself for my team, but I won’t go and force things and end up getting an injury because that’d be bad news for the team.
“I’ve put a lot of hours of work in and I’m feeling far better. We’ve got a training session now and I’ll see how I’m feeling and if I’ll be able to play. I’ve come a long way with my recovery and I’ll have to see how I’m feeling out on the pitch and we’ll make a decision after training. It’s a special game because it’s the Champions League. I feel comfortable when I’m in France with the national team and I’m here today representing my club. People treat me well and I have to go out and perform on the pitch, which is what people want to see from me.”
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Welcome in!
Welcome to the CBS Sports live blog of the UEFA Champions League! I’m Roger Gonzalez, and I’ll be providing updates on today’s massive Real Madrid vs. PSG match. It’s the round of 16 first leg from the Parc des Princes, and that’s where our Jonathan Johnson. We’ll be joined by him shortly to get you ready for kickoff! What a clash this is set to be as Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and company face the true kings of UCL. No team has won the competition more than Real, while PSG crave European glory that has continued to elude them. But to get a step closer, they need to get the better of former manager Carlo Ancelotti, who is back at Real for his second stint.
As a reminder, this match will air on CBS, but it will also be available on Paramount+.
