Paris game to define Real Madrid's season

   MADRID, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid have their most important game of the season when they play away to Paris Saint Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday night.

   Zinedine Zidane's side defend a 3-1 first leg lead over the French side and have to avoid a defeat by 2 goals or more in order to move into the quarter-finals of the competition they have won for the past two years.

  With the Liga Santander already lost with 11 weeks left in the campaign, Madrid's campaign and probably Zidane's job rests on progress in Europe and avoiding three months in which the side would have little to play for other than pride, while the press begin sharpening their knives looking for people to blame.

  Madrid have injury worries ahead of the tie with Tony Kroos and Luka both doubts, due to a knee and muscle injury respectively, both trained on Sunday, but whether or not they are match-fit is something we won't know until the teams are announced.

   The good news for Zidane is that left back Marcelo, who was vital in helping Madrid score two late goals in the first leg, should be fit after appearing as a substitute in Saturday's 3-1 win over Getafe.

   Meanwhile Dani Carvajal will play after missing the first leg due to suspension and will add to Madrid's capacity to play on the break.

   Saturday saw the trident of Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema all participate in the win over Getafe and the expectation is that the three will start against PSG, although Zidane will no doubt remember Marco Asensio's fantastic performance as a substitute three weeks ago, playing a major role in Madrid's fightback from a goal down.

  Lucas Vazquez has also been in fine form of late and Zidane must also consider whether or not he deserves a starting place, especially if Modric and Kroos are finally available.

   PSG will have to overcome the loss of Neymar through a foot injury, but in former Real Madrid winger, Angel de Maria they have a replacement who should be highly motivated and who will not be tempted into the showboating which took the edge off Neymar's display in Madrid three weeks ago.  Enditem