This Tuesday marks a crucial juncture for Barcelona as they strive to clinch a place in the Champions League semi-finals, ending a five-year absence and aiming to overcome their recent struggles against Paris Saint-Germain. The Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium awaits PSG’s arrival, brimming with a desire for revenge after their defeat in the first leg (2-3).
Following Xavi Hernández’s resignation as Barcelona’s coach on January 27, few could have foreseen the team’s resurgence, potentially positioning themselves among Europe’s top four. Since then, Barcelona has maintained an undefeated streak, notching up ten victories and three draws.
Notably, their defensive solidity has been the standout improvement in their last thirteen matches, reminiscent of their previous league-winning campaign. Marc-André Ter Stegen has conceded just nine goals since Xavi announced his departure at the season’s end.
The defensive strength exhibited at the Parc des Princes proved pivotal for Barcelona in their last outing. Despite conceding two goals, they managed to contain Kylian Mbappé effectively, thanks to Xavi Hernández’s shrewd defensive tactics.
In the forthcoming game, Xavi will once again deploy the central defensive trio of Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, and Pau Cubarsí, while Joao Cancelo takes up the left-back position. However, the absence of key players Sergi Roberto and Andreas Christensen, due to suspension, opens the door for Pedro González ‘Pedri’ to step in following his recent recovery from a muscle injury.
The attacking line will be led by Raphinha, who made a significant impact in the first leg with two goals, alongside Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal. Joao Félix, who scored the decisive goal against Cádiz last weekend, will be among the substitutes.
The upcoming match presents a markedly different scenario from seven years ago, when Barcelona staged a remarkable comeback (6-1) at their home stadium after suffering a 4-0 defeat at the Parc des Princes. Under Luis Enrique’s guidance, they are now focused on seeking revenge and turning the tide in their favor.
The recent loss in Paris has unsettled the club, but Luis Enrique maintains optimism about their prospects. The return of right-back Achraf Hakimi, who missed the first leg due to suspension, bolsters Paris’s defense and adds an offensive dimension. There is also anticipation for Kylian Mbappé to deliver his best performance, with expectations high for him to lead PSG’s attack effectively.
Coach Luis Enrique also has the promising Bradley Barcola at his disposal, whose introduction in the second half of the previous match injected dynamism into PSG’s attack alongside Mbappé and Ousmane Dembelé, who returns to face his former club after six seasons.
The official lineups for the Barcelona vs PSG rematch
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsí, Cancelo; Gündogan, De Jong; Pedri, Raphinha; Lamine Yamal, and Lewandowski.
Paris SG: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Mbappé, Fabián Ruiz, Dembélé, Vitinha, L. Hernández, Nuno Mendes, and Barcola.
The Champions League clash between Barcelona and PSG scheduled on Tuesday, April 16 Time: 1:00 p.m. CDMX / 3:00 p.m. ET
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