FC Barcelona host PSG in the Champions League Round of Sixteen Second Leg

Barcelona have the mammoth task of overturning a 4-0 deficit if they want to progress.

Staff Predictions

Ben: 5-0- M-S-N to deliver a world-class performance to pull the Catalans through, and cement their reputations as the best front three in world football. Control of the midfield is key, so Sergio Busquets needs to be at his world-class best. It may seem unrealistic (and probably is), but who thought PSG would put four past Barça?

Chiranjib: 4-0- The tie goes to extra-time, and Gerard Piqué scores the winner.

Farid: 3-1- If Barça play with Saturday’s lineup, then they will win the match. However, if PSG score before Barça it will be a tie. If Barcelona gets at least three goals before the 70th minute then they will win the tie. It will be a back-and-forth game for the first fifteen minutes. Being solid defensively is key because of the threat that PSG have on the counter-attack.

Laieke: 3-1- Barca’s defense won’t hold up long enough despite their best effort and they’ll concede one.

Nikhil: 3-1

Sean: 2-1

Form

Barcelona go into this match on a hot streak inspired by their formation change. Since the first leg of this tie, the Catalans have won all four league games. In that time, they have scored fifteen and conceded three. However, the first league game after the loss against PSG was a lacklustre 2-1 win against Leganés, which helped influence the move to a 3-4-3 diamond. Since that game, they have been excellent with the 2-1 win at the Vicente Calderón being a great example of this.

The last two games have seen them win 6-1 and 5-0 against Sporting Gijón and Celta Vigo respectively. Therefore, they go into this game full of confidence, which is the best they could have hoped for.

Squads

History

Recent history favours Barcelona with the 4-0 loss being somewhat of an anomaly. Prior to that game, the Catalans had won three of the six games between the two teams in the last five years. The only loss, in that period, was a 3-2 defeat at Parc des Princes in the group stages of the 2014/15 Champions League. In the last five games there has been nineteen goals, so expect plenty in this one.

Next: Barcelona's Head Coach Search

Playing Style

Unai Emery’s reputation as an astute tactician was enhanced by the last game. He ruthlessly exploited Barcelona’s right side pairing of Sergi Roberto and André Gomes. PSG were able to exploit the space between the two, which led to Julian Draxler having multiple 1v1 situations against Roberto.

The return of Thiago Silva is a huge boost for the defence due to the leadership and experience that he brings. Although, his replacement, Presnel Kimpembe, did well in his absence. The full-backs are a weakness to exploit, though, because of how attack-minded they are. If they go forward, there is space to exploit, and if they just try and form a compact shape then the front three will be able to ruthlessly pull them out of position.

Two of the Parisians’ best players against Barcelona (Di María and Rabiot) are doubts for the match. Di María’s absence will hit them the hardest due to his smart movement and quality on the counter-attack. He could play, but he isn’t 100% fit, so it all depends on whether Emery wants to risk him. The potential of Rabiot not playing is key as well because the loss of him reduces their ability to nullify Barça’s attack. In terms of replacements for him, Thiago Motta is injured and Grzegorz Krychowiak is a shadow of his former self, so Barcelona could exploit this weakness to gain control in midfield.

There are weaknesses in key areas in the Parisian team which Barcelona could take advantage of, and a few early goals could lead to nerves. Since the Qatari takeover, they haven’t beaten any of the top European teams over two legs, so the pressure could affect them if Barça start in a strong manner.

Predicted Lineup

Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto and Andrés Iniesta could all start depending on how Enrique decides to set his team up.