Barcelona vs. PSG: An Impossible Mission

(Baonghean.vn) - The task of turning the tide after the crushing 0-4 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at home is considered 'impossible' forBarcelona.

"Father Nguyen Dinh Thuc incites parishioners."

Barcelona are in excellent form, having won their last two matches against Sporting Gijon and Celta Vigo with scores of 6-1 and 5-0 respectively. If they can achieve that against PSG, Barcelona will automatically qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals without needing extra time. However, Sporting Gijon and Celta Vigo are clearly no match for PSG, a team that has reached the Champions League quarter-finals in the last four seasons.

Expected lineups for both teams. Photo: Internet.

The Parisian club is in excellent form in the French Football League and has prepared very well for their trip to Camp Nou to eliminate this formidable opponent. Having already won numerous domestic titles, PSG will certainly set higher goals in European competitions, specifically the Champions League, a tournament in which they have reached the quarter-finals for four consecutive years.

Attack strategy

In a gamble before bidding farewell to the Nou Camp in three months' time, coach Luis Enrique made no secret of the fact that Barcelona would use an attacking 3-4-3 formation to counter PSG, who are likely to play 4-3-3. Frankly, Barcelona are forced to play offensively regardless of PSG's tactics. Of course, Lionel Messi is undoubtedly Barcelona's biggest hope in their most important match of the season.

Since the defeat against PSG in the first leg, Messi has scored 6 goals in 4 matches. Besides Messi, coach Luis Enrique also has Neymar as another big name to rely on. The Brazilian striker has been a "nightmare" for PSG, scoring 5 goals against the French team in 5 matches. Before the match, Neymar confidently told his teammates in the Barcelona dressing room that he would score at least a brace against PSG. Putting Rafinha further forward, playing him as a true midfielder, is a big gamble that coach Luis Enrique has no other choice but to take.

The MSN trio is the biggest hope for the home team at Camp Nou. Photo: Internet.

Captain Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets will play a crucial role in this clash, facing midfielder Verratti, who was praised by his Italian compatriot Andre Pirlo after the first leg. Meanwhile, on the left wing, midfielder Ivan Rakitic will be tasked with marking Di Maria, PSG's best player in the first leg. The home team's left wing, with Alba, Rakitic, and Neymar, is considered the "battle line" that will determine the team's success or failure, as Unai Emery's side possesses quality players on this flank. Besides Di Maria and Verratti, defender Meunine can also contribute effectively to the attack when needed.

Barcelona will attack; they have no other option. The absence of Aleix Vidal and Mathieu due to injury will not significantly affect the quality of the home team's attack.

Don't let any of them slip through the net.

With attacking trio Cavani, Draxler, and Dimaria, Barcelona's defense cannot afford to be complacent for even a moment. Although PSG were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Toulouse after their victory over Barca in the first leg, and only managed two hard-fought wins against Niort and Nancy recently, this only shows one thing: Unai Emery is putting everything into the second leg.

Not to mention that PSG now has Unai Emery in the coaching seat, who has won the Europa League three years in a row with Sevilla, instead of Laurent Blanc. Unai Emery has a knack for leading smaller teams against La Liga giants with a cautious, predatory style of play, like a hunter stalking his prey.

Four years ago, under the late coach Tito Vilanova, Barcelona staged a spectacular comeback after losing 0-2 to AC Milan in Italy, winning 4-0 in the return leg at Camp Nou. But this time, with a 0-4 deficit, we'll have to wait and see if a miracle can happen at Camp Nou.

An Thanh