A goal, even just one, is at least what saves PSG. This Tuesday in the quarter-final second leg of the Champions League against FC Barcelona at Montjuïc, the Parisians must score at least once to come back level with the Catalan team in both matches, after the defeat conceded 3-2 at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.
A 1-0 victory for example, and the Parisians would win overtime – 30 minutes, in two periods of 15 minutes. Any Parisian victory by a goal difference, 2-1, 3-2, 4-3, etc., would have the same consequence.
Since the 2021-2022 season, UEFA has abandoned the away goals rule for all of its competitions.
This is so much the better for Luis Enrique’s team which in the old configuration would have been forced to win by two goals or by 4-3, 5-4, etc., to qualify, and n would have been eligible for extension only by winning 3-2 in turn.
In the event of extra time, if the two teams have not decided after the 120 regulation minutes, then the decision will be based on a penalty shootout.
But this Tuesday evening, any defeat or draw will mean elimination for the capital team.
The precedents do not plead in favor of PSG
Conversely, any Parisian victory by two goals or more, 2-0, 3-1, 3-0, etc., will seal Parisian qualification for the semi-final against the winner of the quarter-final Dortmund – Atlético de Madrid (1-2 in the first leg) – the 4th in its history after those of 1995, 2020 and 2021.
Precedents do not speak in favor of PSG, who in the past have never qualified for the European Cup after a home defeat in the first leg.
Furthermore, in six matches played in Barcelona, PSG have only won once against their Catalan opponent.
But this occurrence happens to be the latest: 4-1 round of 16 second leg on February 16, 2021 (1-1 first leg at the Parc), thanks to a hat-trick from Kylian Mbappé which remained famous.
