PSG Return to the Champions League: Barcelona Opposition Preview

On Tuesday evening, the attention of PSG will revert back to the UEFA Champions League after a quick pit stop in Ligue 1, when Luis Enrique’s side will host Barcelona in the most anticipated game of this season’s league phase.

So, what can we expect from the visitors in this mouth watering clash?

It has been an incredible start to the season for Hansi Flick’s side, who have won all 11 of their games in all competitions. Nine of those wins have come in La Liga, where they have a five point lead at the top, scoring 39 goals in those games, at an average rate of 4.3 goals a game.

Meanwhile, in the Champions League, they have beaten Feyenoord 5-1 (home), and Galatasaray 4-1 (away). An average of 4.5 goals a game. So, very similar numbers and just incredibly impressive across the board. 

The crazy thing is that, despite this ridiculous volume of goalscoring, they should have actually scored more. Indeed so, as across both La Liga and the Champions League, Barcelona have created 72 (!) big chances, an average of 6.5 a game. Mind blowing numbers. 

However, they have also conceded 11 goals in these 11 games, and are there to be got at defensively with their ultra high line. They have also given up 24 big chances in those 11 games, more than two a game, so there will definitely be opportunities for PSG on Tuesday.

Truth be told, the team probably don’t have the perfect profiles to play against the high line, with a lot of the forwards being more ball to feet. However, despite not being blisteringly quick, there will still be space in behind, and Ferran Torres will know their movements more than anyone else. 

Furthermore, it seems as if defensive duo Eric Garcia and Jules Kounde are both set to miss the game, with fellow defender Gerard Martin also a doubt. This could only further exacerbate the issues for the Catalan side at the back. 

Some bad news for the Parisians is that Raphinha returned from a minor injury to play the final 20 minutes of their win at Betis. The Brazilian forward has scored 14 goals in just nine games, in 646 minutes too, the equivalent of around 7.1 full 90’s. Close enough to two goals per game— a goal every 46.1 minutes of football.

You don’t need to be told much about the threats of their other top players, that aren’t returning from injury. With the likes of Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Rodri and Pau Cubarsi, they have world class players all over the park, which should absolutely make for a great game of football that every neutral will surely enjoy, and hopefully everyone of a PSG persuasion will enjoy too.

Possible Barcelona XI at the Parc Des Princes; J.Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martin, Cancelo; Olmo, Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Raphinha, Gordon.