Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) begin their 2014 campaigns with a friendly against each other in Doha.
Where to Watch Live
The game is scheduled for an 8.15 pm IST start with live coverage on Sony Six and Sony Six HD in India. The match can be viewed via live streaming in the US HERE, while UK viewers can do the same HERE. To catch the action in the Middle East and North Africa click HERE, while rest of Africa viewers can catch the action live online HERE. Latin America viewers can live stream the match HERE.
The two sides are currently enjoying their winter break in their respective leagues, and have found time to take part in what promises to be a cracker of a friendly in Qatar.
It will again be a keen contest between Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the duo who battled against each other for Portugal and Sweden respectively recently in the World Cup qualifying playoff.
Ronaldo came out on top in that particular duel, and Ibrahimovic, who already has 23 goals in all competitions this season, will no doubt want to pull level with his illustrious contemporary.
"It is a big match between two great teams," Ibrahimovic said. "It's a great contest here in Doha and I hope it will help us prepare for 2014. Obviously we will be hoping to win this match."
"Taking on Real Madrid is always something special," strike partner Edinson Cavani said on the club's official website. "Even if it's a friendly match and the result doesn't really matter, this match means a lot in terms of image and also football. It should be a really great game."
This particular encounter could very well be the precursor to the Champions League final, such is the quality of both sides. "It's a friendly match, a prestigious game against one of the best side's in Europe," PSG manager Laurent Blanc said. "But we are competitors and we play every match to win, including this one. It's always a good thing to play sides of this quality."
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti will be desperate to get one over his former side, after the Italian left the French champions to take over at the Spanish giants at the beginning of this season.
Ibrahimovic said he is looking forward to meeting his former manager. "It will be a chance to catch up with Carlo Ancelotti, who was here at the start of this new sporting project here at Paris and where he has left his mark," the Swede said. "He lifted the whole squad towards victory.
"He is a great coach and I was very happy to work with him at Paris and I wish him every success in Madrid."
