DECRYPTION – Everything you need to know before the C1 quarter-final return between FC Barcelona and PSG, this Wednesday, in Spain.
After its 3-2 defeat in the first leg, PSG has its back against the wall. The Parisians will have to achieve the impossible in Barcelona this Wednesday (9 p.m.), in the C1 quarter-final second leg. Victory or the door. A success by a goal difference would be synonymous with extra time, or even penalties. With a gap of two goals or more, they will join Atlético or Dortmund in the semi-finals. The match will be broadcast on Canal+ Foot et RMC Sport 1 and to follow live with commentary on our site.
What happened in the first leg?
“The players will be the protagonists. It will depend on the players, not on us (the coaches).”, said Xavi before the first leg. Finally, he dominated Luis Enrique last Wednesday. And that was the key to winning at the Parc des Princes. The Catalan coach was able to press where it hurt offensively, pragmatic, Marc Andre Ter Stegen looking for Robert Lewandowski as quickly as possible in the first half, before continuing to target depth and multiplying the balls behind the defense after the rest. Defensively, his anti-Mbappé plan worked wonderfully. Luis Enrique takes credit for making smart adjustments at the break. His starting 11 nevertheless raises questions, and we are entitled to wonder if his management of Mbappé did not contribute to losing the future Madrilenian (see below).
Obviously, the crash of Lucas Beraldo, the flaws of Gigio Donnarumma and the disappointing performances of said Mbappé and Lucas Hernandez did not help… With a little more success, Paris-SG, behind at the break (0-1 MT) , could also have led 3-1 in the 55th, when Bradley Barcola hit the bar after a great start to the second half rewarded by goals from Ousmane Dembélé and Vitinha. Alas, Raphinha scored a second goal, on Pedri’s first ball, and Andreas Christensen crucified Paris from a corner. Dembélé knocked on wood in turn. The Parc des Princes was largely level last Wednesday. The players and their coach, a little less… “The score does not reflect the match», Luis Enrique corrects, «convinced» that his team will reverse the trend, in a city that is dear to him.
Read alsoBarça-PSG: “We will do it”, Luis Enrique shows his confidence before the return match
Why won’t the match take place at Camp Nou?
FC Barcelona has been playing at the Montjuic stadium since the start of the season. And for good reason, the Camp Nou is under construction. According to the latest reports from the Catalan press, the Blaugrana could return to their favorite stadium at the end of 2024, even if the work will not yet be finished at that time. In the meantime, they are playing at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, a 60,000-seat venue inaugurated in 1929 and rebuilt in 1989 for the 1992 Olympics.Obviously, I would have preferred to play at the Camp Nou, the supporters too… I had the chance to play the 1992 Olympics here. The Camp Nou is legendary. And I always want to play against the best players and on the best stage. But this one is at the level for this meeting», assure Luis Enrique.
Also read: Hakimi on Mbappé before Barça-PSG: “A lot of desire”
What does Hakimi’s return to Paris change?
Aside from Presnel Kimpembe, the Parisian infirmary is empty. Suspended on the outward leg, Achraf Hakimi is available. A strong reinforcement in two ways: already because we know his qualities, but also because his return will allow Luis Enrique to align Marquinhos, the most capped player in the club’s history (436), in the center. We saw the change in the second half… The Brazilian remains the best option in the middle. For Hakimi, he will perhaps calm Raphinha’s enthusiasm by carrying the danger ahead or by coming to the support of the circles. “It’s not just Raphinha… They have very good players», Corrects the Moroccan, invited to appear at a press conference.
This should have the consequence of limiting the offensive impact of Nuno Mendes on the left. Nordi Mukiele (concussion) is also available. However, there is less chance of seeing him play… On the Barça side, in addition to the long-term absences of Gavi and Alejandro Balde, Xavi will have to do without the services of Sergi Roberto – the hero of the 2017 comeback – of Christensen , suspended. Long stuck in the infirmary and replacing at the first leg kick-off, Pedri will undoubtedly find a place in the 11. Note that PSG has not played since the first leg, while the Barcelona have won 1-0 at Cádiz on Saturday in La Liga. They are still eight points behind their next league opponent, Real (04/21). Which invites Xavi to think that it is not dead for the title. Which Xavi rotated widely, with eight changes in his starting 11.
Read also PSG-Barça: the (very) worrying stat for the Parisians before the return match
What do the statistics say?
They are obviously not very favorable to PSG… In the Champions League, the capital club lost four times in a first leg played at home. Four eliminations (1995, 2015, 2018, 2023). Two other cases of this nature in the UEFA Cup (formerly Europa League) in its history, two other eliminations (1984, 1990). Conversely, Barça have punched their ticket to the next round 40 times out of 42 in the European Cup after winning the away leg. FC Metz had achieved the feat of belying this statistic in 1984, in C2: after a 2-4 defeat at Saint-Symphorien, the Grenats won 4-1 at Camp Nou, with a hat-trick from the man named Toni Kurbos . Good news ? The away goal no longer counts double in the event of a tie. We can also remember that Paris won 4-1 during its last trip to Barcelona, in 2021, with a hat-trick from Kylian Mbappé.
Read alsoPSG: Kylian Mbappé, revenge or the door
What face for Kylian Mbappé?
Is it serious doctor ? Kylian Mbappé was unrecognizable last Wednesday, during the first leg. Certainly, Barça defended very well against him, always with a player supporting Jules Koundé. That doesn’t explain everything, because it’s not the first time this season… “When you see my latest performances, do you see a disturbed guy?”, he asked our journalist Baptiste Desprez at a press conference with the Blues. At that time the answer was «non». Today is a different story. Transparent during the last matches of the French team and at the Vélodrome against OM (2-0 victory), he found the net against Rennes (1-0) in the Coupe de France, after breaking his teeth on multiple occasions against Steve Mandanda. In the fridge against Clermont (1-1), he committed the match we know against Barcelona. The trend is strong. Worrying? Luis Enrique’s management probably has nothing to do with it. It remains to be seen whether «Fought» definitely lost «KM». Answer this Tuesday.
