In tonight's action, an under fire Real Madrid side host big spending PSG in the first leg of their last 16 tie. Currently Los Blancos are fourth in La Liga, 17 points behind leaders Barcelona and looking a far cry from the team which captured a second successive Champions League title, to go with the Spanish crown, last season. CGTN's Al Goodman reports from Spain's capital where faith in Zinedine Zidane's side is dwindling.

Hard times for mighty Real Madrid and its star-studded roster. They may hold a record 12 Champions League titles, more than any other club. Including the last two in a row, and the Spanish league title last year, to boot. But this season, Real Madrid is in a titanic slump. Now in fourth place in the Spanish League, a stunning 17 points behind the leaders, arch-rival Barcelona. With their season on the line Wednesday, in a Champions League round of 16 match against Paris Saint Germain, at home in Madrid. Media interest at a peak for the match, and this French sports correspondent says a loss would be devastating to Madrid.

FREDERIC HERMEL SPORTS REPORTER "It's so important to win for Real Madrid against PSG, to still be alive in one competition this season. It's impossible to think the sixth of March the season of the best club in the world can be finished."

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has been asked repeatedly about the team's slump and whether he can save his job. He publicly brushed it aside after the final training before Wednesday's match.

ZINEDINE ZIDANE REAL MADRID COACH "The only thing I can do is focus on the game and try and play a great game. That's what I'm interested in right now. What people say about me or about my team, about the game, I'm not interested in, really."

AL GOODMAN MADRID "Just before the big match against PSG, Real Madrid got a much-needed boost last weekend right here at their home stadium, the Bernabeu, crushing Real Sociedad in a league match, 5 to 2. Including a hat trick from Cristiano. It was just the kind of command performance Real Madrid is so well known for, and which has been in such short supply this season, both in the league and the Spanish Cup."

Just last month, humble Legan knocked Real Madrid out of the Spanish King's Cup, also at the Bernabeu. The Blancos are criticized for a shaky defense, poor second-half play and trouble scoring. But Frederic Hermel says the main problem is in their heads.

FREDERIC HERMEL SPORTS REPORTER "I think it's more difficult to recover after winning everything. Zicane's team won eight titles in two years out of 10 possible. It's difficult to find a new motivation for the players."

But the club's motivation is also tied to its financial muscle as a global brand, a lucrative international business of merchandising and broadcast rights that could suffer if the team suddenly isn't competing for a trophy.

REAL MADRID FAN "It's real disappointed with how the season is going on, but I think we are going to win tomorrow. I hope so."

For the players, and the coach, and Real Madrid's front office, and for many fans, hope springs eternal. But they're also going to need some goals. Al Goodman, CGTN, Madrid.