Neymar Set to Be Left Out of Starting XI as PSG Take on Real Madrid

Neymar will not be in the starting XI as Paris Saint-Germain take on Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night, according to one report.

The world's most expensive footballer returned to action after his latest injury problems in the 2-0 win over Lille in Ligue 1 on Friday, but is still working towards full match fitness. With the rest of his key attacking players fit, head coach Thomas Tuchel is expected to leave Neymar on the bench for the clash in Madrid.

That is according to ​ESPN, who claim that Tuchel will stick with his 4-3-3 formation and start with Kylian Mbappe, Mauro Icardi and Angel Di Maria.

In addition, Neymar will be joined on the sidelines by the other member of PSG's 'fabuleux' five, ​as they have been dubbed, Edinson Cavani.

ESPN's report adds that Tuchel 'is yet to tell his players' of his selection and he will only announce his starting lineup in the team meeting in the hours before the game.

27-year-old Neymar has had a trying 2019/20 season so far, with injuries keeping him out of the majority of PSG's fixtures so far. He has also had to contend with a backlash from the fans over his less than secret desire to move back to ​Barcelona.

However, despite his troubles, Neymar has scored six times in nine outings in all competitions and remains a key man for his club.

It is still likely that the Brazilian will feature at some point in Tuesday night's meeting with Real Madrid, with Mbappe also still recovering from his own fitness issues.

PSG are already qualified for the Champions League's last 16 having won all four of their Group A games so far. Tuchel's side are also yet to concede in the competition and a draw is all that is required in Madrid to confirm that they qualify for the knockouts as group winners. ​

Real Madrid, meanwhile, need a win to confirm their own passage to the next round, before the final group stage gameweek.