When Barcelona step onto the revered grounds of the Parc des Princes for Wednesday's thrilling quarter-final first leg clash, Paris Saint-Germain will be looking to take a decisive step towards qualification for the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. UEFA Champions League.
Barcelona Continues Quest For European Glory
As Barcelona coach Xavi works out his strategy, containing Mbappé certainly tops the agenda, a task that has proven challenging for many.
However, the French prodigy thrives under pressure, as evidenced by the shocking statistic that 91% of his touches in this season's tournament have occurred while facing opposition pressure, the highest among players with at least 50 touches.
Despite the constant attention, Mbappé has shown his mastery of creating chances with passes under pressure (15) more than any other striker in the competition.
Pau Cubarsi could be among the defenders tasked with containing Mbappé on Wednesday.
If the Barça center-back earns a place in the starting 11, he would make history as the youngest defender to start a Champions League quarter-final, at just 17 years and 79 days old.
While 16-year-old Lamine Yamal could also play a crucial role for Barcelona, Xavi is not relying solely on youth; he also has many experienced players to rely on. Players like Ilkay Gündogan will be expected to lead by example.
Gündogan, the German international, offers discipline in midfield along with exceptional ball skills. He leads the Champions League in passes that break through the opposing team's defensive line this season (19).
He has also recorded three assists in the competition in 2023-24, a feat not achieved by a Barcelona player since Jordi Alba in 2018-19 (five assists).
Gündogan's experience could prove vital for Xavi's side, who are making their first appearance in the quarter-finals since suffering their worst European defeat, an 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in August 2020, a memory they hope to erase in this tie.
This disappointing performance against Bayern is part of an unsatisfactory recent record at this stage of the Champions League.
Barcelona have only advanced from the quarter-finals once in their last five attempts, which was in the 2018-19 season against Manchester United.
Barcelona advanced to this stage with a convincing 4-2 aggregate win over Napoli, drawing 1-1 in the first leg in Naples before securing a decisive 3-1 victory in the second leg, with goals from Fermin Lopez, Jõao Cancelo and Robert Lewandowski.
🚨 BARÇA XI 🚨#PSGBarça | #UCL pic.twitter.com/6eByTugSKQ
- FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 10, 2024
PSG Continues to Shine in France
In terms of team news, Xavi's lineup will continue without Alejandro Balde, Gavi and Pedri, although Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen could feature.
Under the guidance of Luis Enrique, the reigning Ligue 1 champions breezed past Real Sociedad in the round of 16, sealing their progress with an emphatic 4-1 aggregate win, culminating in a 2-1 victory in Spain during the second leg.
For PSG, the backbone of their aspirations once again lies in the electrifying talent of Kylian Mbappé, a recurring target of Real Madrid.
Mbappé's brilliance lit up the previous encounter against La Real, with the French phenom finding the net twice in the second leg, adding to his tally since their initial clash in mid-February.
PSG will miss Achraf Hakimi due to suspension, and Nordi Mukiele is a doubt after missing training.
Presnel Kimpembe continues his recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon, but Warren Zaïre-Emery and Bradley Barcola have returned to first-team training and should be available.
