PSG vs Barcelona: 5 key factors that will decide the encounter
Barcelona travel to Paris for the second time this season to meet old Champions League foes PSG. The French league leaders are in good health after knocking out highly-fancied Chelsea thanks to Thiago Silva’s towering extra-time header.And they’re certainly not worried about their opponents own good form. In an interview after PSG’s French Cup Final victory, PSG midfielder Blaise Matuidi noted: “It's true that, right now, everything is good for PSG. We played to win and we played a very good match.“Bastia were a man down for much of the match, but we have done the right thing. This is our first big trophy this season. Now we have to try to get a second and maybe a third.“And it was important to win for the confidence so we can beat Barca."It promises to be another night of high drama, so let’s take a look at five key factors that could decide the match.
#1 No Ibra, Motta, Luiz or Verratti
The loss of one major player for any side can often be enough to tip the balance in favour of the opponent. PSG find themselves lamenting the loss of four of their starters, all of whom have been in fine form this season.
Talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be sorely missed against his old club. Things never really worked for the Swede in Barcelona but he’s set about proving they made the wrong decision to let him go virtually every time he has played them since. The red card he received at Stamford Bridge could prove pivotal in the outcome of this two-legged affair.
Marco Verratti has been playing the best football of his career so far and his no-nonsense approach would’ve been crucial to upset the pretty patterns that Barca are sure to draw all over the midfield, but he too misses out through suspension.
At the back, David Luiz and Thiago Motta are both injured, and even if the latter was deemed fit enough, he would’ve missed this first leg, again through suspension.
It would be a huge surprise if PSG can still be competitive going into the second leg at Camp Nou. As Barca showed the last time they were at the Parc Des Princes, despite losing, they can pass you to death and hit you where it hurts whenever they choose.
Messi’s work of art goal was typical of their play on the night. If Barcelona play anywhere close to that again, and PSG will be reduced to onlookers.