Catalan observers did not expect that. Their FC Barcelona may well be a club with stars such as Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Frenkie De Jong, Ilkay Gündogan, Pedri, Pau Cubarsi and Marc-André ter Stegen, the Catalans did not hide their surprise after the “surprise” victory. » of Xavi’s men against Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain (3-2), in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League. Since the removal of the away goal rule, everything still remains open for the return match, but this new-look Barça is calling out.
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Mocked for months for a lackluster game and an absence in the Champions League money time since 2021, the club of president Joan Laporta is back in the forefront. A transformation whose starting point dates from January 27, when Xavi announced his departure at the end of the season. Did the native of Terrassa do it on purpose in order to cause an electric shock within his team? If so, he clearly got what he wanted. In its columns, Sports world also evokes the eight points which allowed the Culers to regain control.
Read Barça-PSG: Luis Enrique responds to Xavi
An invincible Barça
The first reason is the most telling. Barça is quite simply undefeated since the resounding announcement from its coach (13 matches, 10 wins, 3 draws). Then there were calendar factors that allowed players to have less busy weeks and therefore more time to perfect their physical condition. In addition, if elements such as Gavi and Baldé are out until the end of the season, Barça has rather been spared from major injuries, still hoping that De Jong and Pedri will not relapse. Fourth point: Xavi’s speech to his troops just after his announcement hit the mark. The former midfielder had touching words, but he also knew how to make other talks in which he asked his flock to raise their level.
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A speech which had its effect since the stars and young hopes of the club responded. The examples are striking. At the bottom of the hole, Jules Koundé has regained momentum on the right side of the defense. His match against Kylian Mbappé must also have given him confidence. Finally, among young people the rise to power of Pau Cubarsi (17 years old) has obviously not gone unnoticed. Sixth point: he will not be there when he returns (suspended), but Andreas Christensen did a lot of good for his team by being repositioned a notch above, in defensive midfielder. The seventh factor also concerns defense. In its unbeaten run, Barça has not conceded a goal on six occasions. And when he took it, he never lost. Finally, the eighth and last criterion is the contribution of replacements. Involved, the second knives (João Félix, Sergi Roberto) got into tune instead of dragging their feet.
For this Barça-PSG return clash, Parions Sport en Ligne and Foot Mercato are offering you a welcome bonus of €90 and €10 without deposit with the code FM10. PSG’s victory can earn you €270 and Barça’s victory can earn you €193.
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Follow the Barça-PSG return match on RMC Sport.
Pub. 04/15/2024 5:03 p.m. Updated 04/15/2024 8:16 p.m.
2024-04-15 15:03:18
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