Barcelona vs PSG preview

March 6, 2017
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

After suffering one of the most embarrassing defeats in recent years, Barcelona face a gargantuan task in the return leg against Paris Saint-Germain.

The Saints carry a four-goal lead into the return match, but they are aware they cannot afford to take the Camp Nou clash lightly.

Barcelona’s performances this season have not been of the highest standard and they have prompted head coach Luis Enrique to leave the post at the end of the season.

Before he says goodbye to Camp Nou, the highly rated tactician will attempt to win a couple more major trophies, but that is not going to be an easy task.

While the Catalans should have an easy job in the Copa del Rey final against Deportivo Alaves, they face a three-way battle with Real Madrid and Sevilla for the league trophy.

However, the time is now to focus on the Champions League return leg against PSG, where Barcelona are 11.00 (10/1) chance to qualify for the next stage.

Big wins over Atletico Madrid, Sporing Gijon and Celta Vigo will have improved the dressing room atmosphere, making sure the Catalans can give their best against PSG.

There have been no fresh injury worries for Luis Enrique, but Jeremy Mathieu, Andre Gomes and Aleix Vidal all miss out through injury.

Probable starting line-up (3-4-3): ter Stegen – Pique, Umtiti, Alba – Rafinha, Iniesta, Busquets, Rakitic – Messi, Suarez, Neymar.

Paris Saint-Germain have long been attempting to mount a serious title challenge in the Champions League, only to be stopped in the quarter-finals in four successive campaigns.

The Saints are about to make it to the last 8 fifth straight time, but now they will have defeated mighty Barcelona to get there.

PSG produced a perfect showing to record a 4-0 win in the first leg, meaning they are well in the driving seat, but they are, nonetheless, expected to take the return match very seriously.

The Saints were quite fortunate to beat Nancy at the weekend, but it was easy to see they had one eye on the Barcelona game.

Unai Emery will recall a number of first team regulars after they were rested on Saturday, but Thiago Motta looks set to miss out through a thigh problem.

Angel Di Maria and Adrien Rabiot are both rated doubtful, but at least Javier Pastore is back to full fitness after a lengthy absence.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Trapp – Meunier, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Kurzawa – Pastore, Verratti, Matuidi – Draxler, Cavani, Di Maria.

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