Di Maria: It was special to face Real Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain star Angel di Maria said it was "special" to face former club Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6bPfj2fDkG8Rp9LvRjgttg.jpg)
Angel di Maria was unhappy with his own performance for Paris Saint-Germain against Real Madrid, but said it was "special" to come up against his former club.
Di Maria was withdrawn 67 minutes into Wednesday's 0-0 Champions League draw between his current and ex-employers – a result that leaves top spot in Group A very much in the balance between the sides.
The Argentina star struggled to make an impact as PSG and Madrid largely cancelled each other out, but he enjoyed the occasion and was satisfied with a hard-earned draw.
Di Maria said: "This was a special game for me, as I only left Madrid a little more than a year ago. Facing my old team-mates was special, even if it didn't turn out great for me.
"We had a lot of chances to win the game. We did that against one of the top four teams in Europe. The important thing is that we were able to pick up a point."
PSG midfielder Blaise Matuidi echoed his team-mate's thoughts on the result, but is wary of a Madrid side likely to be boosted by the returns of Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema for next month's reverse fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu.
"We knew it would be a tough match to the best team in Europe," Matuidi said.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"We'll go there to take the first place, but we know it won’t be easy as Real will have players back."
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack