Leonardo in bid to play down defeat

Leonardo’s assertion that Paris St Germain are made for the Champions League but not for low-key Ligue 1 matches could backfire tonight if they do not show a dramatic improvement against Valencia in their last 16 second-leg clash.

Sports director Leonardo explained PSG’s 1-0 league defeat at battling ten-man Stade Reims on Saturday by saying: “Maybe we have a team made for Europe, based on talent and passing quality, not for that kind of game.”

PSG indeed looked a different side from the one who beat Valencia 2-1 away in the first leg and their chances of success in this evening’s home game have been hurt by suspensions to striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and midfielder Marco Verratti.

David Beckham could make his first Champions League appearance since 2010 with AC Milan. He could start unless Carlo Ancelotti decides to field Clement Chantome or Thiago Motta returns from injury.