Tuchel: Benzema is one of the most underrated players in the world

Paris Saint-Germain are preparing to welcome one of the world's most dangerous clubs in Real Madrid on Wednesday evening, but one player strikes fear into the heart of coach Thomas Tuchel more than any other: Karim Benzema.

The German coach admitted to having been watching the Frenchman closely of late and he was left in awe.

"It feels like he's been at Real Madrid for 25 years!" Tuchel began, jokingly.

"We saw him against Levante and it's scary, he's one of the most underrated players in the world.

"He's top class, very difficult to defend against because he doesn't only play as a number nine; he goes wide, he goes everywhere.

"He has a lot of quality and crosses well, he's good at heading - what more can I say?"

Benzema's former team-mate, Keylor Navas, will be reunited with his former club, less than a month after leaving Spain on an occasion which Tuchel was keen to recognise.

"Of course it's something special for him, he was Real Madrid's goalkeeper for a long time and he had a lot of success in that team," Tuchel said.

"The goalkeeper position is special because you have to take responsibility for your mistakes alone, but he's very strong mentally, that's why he played at Real Madrid and I'm happy he's with us.

"He always smiles, he's calm and has a great spirit."

The coach is optimistic ahead of the clash, despite being without first-choice attackers Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani.

"I think our character is to be active, I don't think we'll be passive because Madrid will have a lot of the ball, they're very strong and have a lot of experience in the Champions League and have won it many times," he analysed.

"I think that we play quickly and find solutions, but in any case, it's the first game of the group so it doesn't decide anything yet."