Real Madrid hope fans can see them home against PSG in Champions League

Following Saturday convincing 4-1 home win against Real Sociedad, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti and his players thanked their fans in the most animated section behind the Bernabeu goal.

Then they returned to the dressing room before coming out to the fans one more time. This is unheard of, but it was with good reason and with an eye on what’s to follow.

Madrid host Paris St Germain in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday, their biggest game of the season.

PSG won the first leg 1-0 in a game they completely dominated. Madrid need everything for the second leg if they’re to stand a chance of progressing and now, more than ever, they need the fans and players and have said so in post-match interviews.

The timing is right since the Bernabeu will host a crowd of more than 60,000 for the first time in two years. Covid lockdown, a massive stadium reconstruction and capacities being slashed by the government kept crowds down and while there’s still another year to go before the building work is fully completed, 60,000 will be sufficient to create an almighty din.

Zinedine Zidane’s side were 10 minutes from winning La Liga last season and one goal from reaching the Champions League final, despite not playing well in two semi-finals against eventual winners Chelsea – the first leg in a rain-soaked, empty, windy, reserve-team stadium which was their home last season. The difference on Wednesday is hoped to be huge.

Despite having the same players, Madrid have improved this season under new boss Ancelotti. They score more goals, play better football and win more games. The Italian fixed the problems in their defence at the start of the season, which were understandable after losing defensive mainstays Sergio Ramos and