PSG will have to come from a goal behind against Barcelona away from home to book a spot in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Barcelona are all set to host PSG in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. The Catalan giants have a small advantage heading into this fixture having won 3-2 away from home in the first-leg.
Xavi’s team can make it to the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since the 2018/19 campaign while PSG have not been involved in a Champions League semi-final clash since the 2020/21 season.
The first leg between the two teams did live up to the expectations. It was a goalscoring thriller where the Spanish giants took the lead before going 2-1 down. But eventually, they did manage to bounce back and win 3-2, taking home a hard-earner one-goal lead which could prove very important in the second leg.
Even a draw in this fixture will be good enough for Xavi’s team, while Luis Enrique’s men will have to bounce back from being a goal down first and then hope to come out on top. Post the first leg fixture, Barcelona squared up against Cadiz and managed to win 1-0 on the night despite rotating the majority of the team.
On the other hand, PSG were not involved in any fixture at the weekend, and they will have an entirely fresh squad to try and pull off a special win at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. Meanwhile, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Barcelona
Sergi Roberto and Andreas Christensen picked up a milestone yellow in the first leg and are suspended from this fixture. Meanwhile, Xavi will be without the services of Gavi and Alejandro Balde. Pedri has been used as a substitute in their last two outings and is expected to start here.
Xavi will stick to the 4-3-3 formation, where Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be in goal. Jules Kounde and Joao Cancelo will be the full-backs for the home team, while Pau Cubarsi should continue in the heart of the defence alongside Ronald Araujo.
In the centre of the park, Pedri should start alongside Frenkie de Jong and Ilkay Gundogan. The trio will look to control the tempo of the game and ensure they have the majority of the ball.
Raphinha and Lamine Yamal will feature on the flanks for the home team. The Brazilian will hope to put up a similar performance to the one that he did in the first leg. The duo will provide the width and try to create space for their star striker Robert Lewandowski.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Cancelo; Pedri, Gundogan, F de Jong; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha
PSG
PSG will be without the services of Presnel Kimpembe, Layvin Kurzawa, and Sergio Rico. Meanwhile, the availability of Nordi Mukiele is also doubtful. They do have a boost as Achraf Hakimi is back, having served a suspension in the first leg.
Luis Enrique is also expected to stick to the 4-3-3 formation. Gianluigi Donnarumma will take charge in goal. Hakimi will feature as the right back, while Nuno Mendes should continue on the left flanks. In the heart of the defence, skipper Marquinhos should start alongside Lucas Hernandez.
Warren Zaire-Emery could start this fixture alongside Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha. The PSG midfielders will look to ensure they do not allow Barcelona midfielders to dictate the pace of the game and have possession too deep in their half.
In attack, Ousmane Dembele will once again gear up against his former club, while Kylian Mbappe will look to have an impact here after a disappointing first leg. Goncalo Ramos could get the opportunity to lead the line in this all-important fixture.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Hernandez, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Ruiz, Vitinha; Dembele, Ramos, Mbappe
Key Stats
- Barcelona and PSG have faced each other on 13 occasions, the Catalan giants have won five while PSG have four wins to their name.
- Last time when the two teams met in the UEFA Champions League knockouts back in the 2020/21 season, PSG won the round of 16 class 5-2 on aggregate.
- Barcelona last featured in the semi-finals back in 2018/19, while PSG where involved in the semi back in the 2020/21 season.
- The Catalan giants have been unbeaten in their last 13 games in all competitions.
- Last time when PSG squared up against Barcelona in an away match, they won 4-1.
Player to Watch
Ousmane Dembele
Dembele had an exceptional outing in the first leg. He might not have managed to help PSG win that fixture, but his goal has kept them in the tie, and Les Parisiens will hope he once again comes good against his former club. The French international has 13 assists and two goals this term, and he will be eager to add to it.
Prediction
Barcelona 1-3 PSG
Barcelona do have the upper hand heading into the second leg, but PSG are well rested having not featured at the weekend. Given the kind of track record Luis Enrique has, he will have the French giants playing some of their best football in the second leg and with the kind of firepower he has in attack, they could end up coming out on top here.
The fact that Sergi Roberto and Andreas Christensen are unavailable means, Xavi doesn’t have enough depth in the midfield which could backfire. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for the away team.
