Barcelona rides a 3-2 victory into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain at Camp Nou on Tuesday night. Here’s a detailed preview of the match:
Match Feature
- Competition: UEFA Champions League
- Date: Tuesday 16 April 2024
- Time: 21:00 CAT
- Venue: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Spain
Paris Saint-Germain Seeking Redemption
PSG will be desperate to overturn the deficit and avoid a second consecutive Champions League quarter-final exit. The Parisians were wasteful in the first leg, particularly Kylian Mbappé, who will be looking to make amends on Tuesday night.
Manager Christophe Galtier will need to find a way to break down a resolute Barcelona defence, while also keeping the likes of Ferran Torres and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang quiet at the other end.
Barcelona on a High
Barcelona defied the odds in the first leg, securing a dramatic comeback victory at Parc des Princes. After falling behind early in the second half, Barca roared back with two goals in quick succession, leaving them in a strong position to progress to the semi-finals for the first time since 2019.
Their recent form has been exceptional, winning six consecutive matches in all competitions. Xavi Hernandez’s men are brimming with confidence and will be looking to leverage the Camp Nou crowd to their advantage.
Key Factors to Consider
- Barcelona’s advantage: The Catalans hold a crucial one-goal lead and will be buoyed by their home support.
- Paris Saint-Germaine’s attacking threat: Despite their first-leg shortcomings, PSG boasts a world-class attack that can punish any team on their day.
- Barcelona’s defensive solidity: Barca’s defence has been a cornerstone of their recent success, and they’ll be determined to keep another clean sheet.
Head to Head
Historically, the encounters between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germaine have been tightly contested.
- Matches Played: 14 (all competitions since 1994)
- Barcelona Wins: 6 (Avg. 2.14 goals per game)
- PSG Wins: 4 (Avg. 1.79 goals per game)
- Draws: 4
Last 5 meetings:
- April 2024: Barcelona 3-2 PSG (Champions League)
- March 2021: PSG 1-1 Barcelona (Champions League)
- February 2021: Barcelona 1-4 PSG (Champions League)
- March 2017: Barcelona 6-1 PSG (Champions League)
Key Stats:
- Both teams have scored in eight of the last ten encounters.
- High-scoring affairs are common, with seven of the last ten matches seeing over 2.5 goals scored.
Predictions and Odds
This is a highly anticipated clash between two European giants. Barcelona will be aiming to protect their lead and exploit any weaknesses in the PSG defence.
PSG, on the other hand, will come out all guns blazing, needing at least two goals to progress. A tight and tense encounter is expected, with Barcelona edging out PSG on the night.
Additional resources (not for promotional purposes):
- Barcelona vs PSG Predicted lineup, betting tips, odds, injury news, head-to-head, telecast: link to the article
- Barcelona vs. PSG Prediction, Pick & UCL Odds: Barcelona Completes the Sweep: link to the article
Also Read: Real Madrid Aim to Extend Lead Against Mallorca (April 13th)