To the wall. Paris Saint-Germain must beat FC Barcelona on home turf, Montjuïc Olympic Stadium (Camp Nou being under construction), Tuesday April 16 at 9 p.m. Beaten at the Parc des Princes six days earlier (2-3) by a realistic Barça and supported by decisive substitutes, the Parisians will have to be more solid to hope to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League, which they missed during the last two seasons.
- Obligatory victory for PSG
“We have to think that the trip to Barcelona is a final and that we have to win it. I have no doubt that we can achieve this goal.”, assured the Parisian coach, Luis Enrique, in a press conference after his team’s defeat in the first leg. PSG has reason to believe it, but to win this “final”, the key will perhaps be to find a defensive base which was sorely lacking for the capital’s players at the Parc des Princes. As such, the return of Achraf Hakimi should relieve the rearguard, by allowing the replacement of captain Marquinhos in the central hinge.
- Kylian Mbappé expected around the corner
If the Parisians fail on Tuesday, this meeting could be Kylian Mbappé’s last in the Parisian jersey in the Champions League. The 2018 world champion should leave PSG at the end of the season, and still dreams of taking the capital club to its first triumph in C1. Disappointing in the first leg, he will have to meet expectations in Catalonia to reach the last four and continue to hope for a European title, which could also bring him closer to the Ballon d’Or.
- Barça can once again become a great player in Europe
Five years without a Champions League semi-final is a first for FC Barcelona in the 21st century. Tuesday, Xavi’s Barça has the opportunity to put an end to these years of scarcity, marked by economic and sporting crises. Not everything is rosy in Catalonia, but the youth of La Masia, played by Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, carry the hopes of the Blaugranas. On home soil, FC Barcelona should rely on the same strengths as at the Parc des Princes to hold at least a draw: good defensive organization, the speed of Raphinha, the pivotal play of Lewandowski and decisive substitutes.