UEFA Champions League 2023-24: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) vs FC Barcelona (BAR) quarter-finals 1st leg Match Preview

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will be hosting FC Barcelona (BAR) on Wednesday night in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals at the Parc des Princes. PSG will be meeting the Spanish giants after three years since they last met at the R016 round in the 2020/21 season. The Ligue 1 champions defeated Barca 5-2 in aggregate, with Kylian Mbappe scoring a hattrick at Camp Nou. Mbappe who has been in brilliant form in the ongoing season will like to do something similar on Wednesday night. 

But a lot of things have changed since then. A newly transformed Barcelona has evolved after the departure of Lionel Messi. Under Xavi, they have found a way back through the Champions League knockout stages. The defending LA Liga champions have not had the best season so far as they are 2nd placed to their arch-rivals Real Madrid. The Blaugranes would like to change their fortunes and at least get a draw in the away game of the Champions League. 

The task will be hard as the opponents have good attacking players with Mbappe, former Barca winger Ousmane Dembele Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani. With these four the side has been brilliant but the consistency of Mbappe is only there the rest three have not performed constantly. Luis Enrique knows Barca more than anyone else as he was himself with the club which previously won the Champions League. 

Paris Saint-Germain vs FC Barcelona: Prediction

Mbappe has been a consistent performer for the French club and carried his side on his back in many games. He will be a threat for the away side as he has scored 39 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions for the side and will be the main man for the side on Wednesday. Dembele will be up against his former side he also had a decent season with one goal and 13 assists to his name. 

On the other hand, Robert Lewandowski will be eager to keep his score ticking in the Champions League, but his form this season has gone down a bit despite that he has scored 20 goals across all competitions for the Blaugranes. He will be combining with Lamine Yamal, the 16-year-old winger who has been impressive in the ongoing season and has been a star for Barca. 

Prediction- 2-1 Barcelona 

Injury and Suspension Concern 

Paris Saint-Germain

Warren Zaire-Emery, Nuno Mendes, Bradley Barcola, Presnel Kimpembe

Achraf Hakimi (Red card), Lucas Hernandez, Milan Skriniar, Manuel Ugarte (Misses 2nd leg if booked)

FC Barcelona

Gavi, Alejandro Balde 

Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Frenkie De Jong, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Joao Felix, Sergi Roberto (Misses 2nd leg if booked)

Probable Playing XI  

Paris Saint-Germain

Gianluigi Donnarumma, Nordi Mukiele, Marquinhos, Lucas Beraldo, Lucas Hernandez, Warren Zaire Emery, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muan, Kylian Mbappe.

FC Barcelona 

Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Joao Cancelo, Andreas Christensen, Frenkie de Jong, Ilkay Gundogan, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski.