Zinedine Zidane has again expressed his adoration for Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League meeting with the French side on Tuesday.

Mbappe has been heavily linked with a future move to Madrid and he'll have a chance to impress the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.

"You know that I've known him for a long time," Zidane told the press when asked about the forward.

"I'm already in love with him as a person first, because he came here a long time ago for a trial.

"He's the rival now, so I can't say any more."

Madrid have improved in recent weeks but the game against PSG presents them with a tough task, particularly having lost 3-0 in Paris.

"It's the most important game of the season," Zidane explained.

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"We'll be against a very good team and will have to be prepared.

"We need heart and head, but especially good football."

Looking back at that first game in September, Zidane acknowledged that a lot has changed in the capital.

"We've changed and it's not a rematch," Zidane said. "We want to play well and continue our form.

"It's a game to confirm our turnaround."

Gareth Bale is still trying to win the Madrid fans over after his indiscretions over the international break and Zidane knows the significance of his next performances.

"Tomorrow is an important game for everyone," Zidane stated, "and for him too.

"It's a great game, they're having a great season so the demand will be higher than in any game we've played, but we like that.

Mbappe, Neymar and Edinson Cavani are all expected to start for PSG, but the Frenchman is aware that they have threats beyond their front three.

"Neymar or Mbappe," Zidane said when asked who, if he could, he'd rule out ahead of the game.

"But I'm not going to choose any.

"They're all ready, they can all play and I don't have to choose.

"We're going to play against a great side."