Two weeks ago, PSG went to Barcelona and won 4-1 as they look to make the quarterfinals.
The big differences this time around are in the location and atmosphere. When Barca stunned the French side in 2017, they were at home in the second leg with 96,290 fans in attendance as they scored three times in the final minutes.
On Wednesday, the French will be the home side with a 3 pm ET kickoff at Parc des Princes, though no fans will be in attendance.
Barcelona Looking For a Miracle
A new era began for Barcelona off the field this week as Joan Laporta won the election to be the club’s president in a landslide. The Blaugrana won on the pitch as well with a 2-0 win in La Liga play over Osasuna.
Things did not go well for Lionel Messi and company two weeks ago at home in the first leg. They did take an early lead on Messi’s penalty kick before falling apart and losing 4-1 as Kylian Mbappe dominated for PSG.
Messi has scored in 17 straight Champions League games, and a goal on Wednesday will give him the record alone in that category. But the real key for Barcelona will be on defense.
They had no answers for Mbappe two weeks ago and cannot afford to give up any more goals as even a 3-0 win won’t see them through to the quarterfinals.
Barcelona must win by at least four goals, and no team has kept a clean sheet at the Parc des Princes in Champions League play since 2015.
PSG to Welcome Back Neymar
When PSG lost to Barcelona four years ago, superstar Neymar was on the Spanish side, scoring in the 88th minute. Now he is in Paris and on his way back from injury. The Brazilian has missed a month with a groin injury and could be in Mauricio Pochettino’s starting 11 on Wednesday.
Mbappe was the star in the first leg with a hat trick as Moise Kean scored the fourth goal. Kean will miss this leg with coronavirus, and Juan Bernat is also out with a knee injury. PSG is hoping to welcome back defender Alessandro Florenzi, who has had a muscular injury.
Last year was nearly the breakthrough for PSG as they made the Champions League final before falling to Bayern Munich. The big trophy is the only one in Europe missing from their case, and, with Pochettino on the sideline and the talent getting healthy, this could be their best chance at finally lifting the Champions League silverware.
Betting Lines and Pick
Barcelona has gone 16 in a row without a loss in La Liga dating back to Dec. 5, but this is a different animal in PSG. The Parisians have clearly put their weight into the Champions League this season, and the win at Barcelona was their best performance to date.
Getting Neymar back is the icing on the cake as PSG heads to the quarterfinals.
Pick: PSG to win (-118)
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