Barcelona are getting ready to clinching their first Champions League semifinal berth because the 2018-19 season as they put together to host Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
La Blaugrana carry a slender benefit following an exciting 3-2 victory within the first leg in Paris, because of Raphinha’s brace and Andreas Christensen’s late winner.
Since Xavi introduced his choice to step down as head coach on the finish of the season, the Catalans have been in wonderful type. They have gone unbeaten in 13 video games throughout all competitions, with 10 wins throughout this spectacular streak.
Despite hopes of convincing Xavi to remain, the main focus stays on ending the season strongly, with Barcelona nonetheless in competition for 2 trophies.
Raphinha was the standout performer within the first leg, scoring twice, whereas Andreas Christensen netted the winner within the 77th minute, giving Barcelona a 3-2 benefit going into the second leg on the
Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Montjuic.
Barcelona’s latest Champions League historical past has been disappointing, with early exits up to now two seasons and a quarterfinal defeat in 2018-19.
Their final Champions League triumph got here in 2015 after they defeated Juventus within the remaining.
Although Barcelona maintain the general head-to-head benefit towards PSG, with six wins to the Parisians’ 4, they suffered a 4-1 defeat to PSG of their final assembly within the first leg of the spherical of 16 in February 2021.
The Culers head into this match after a 1-0 win over Cadiz in La Liga, with 4 consecutive league wins.
However, Real Madrid preserve an eight-point lead over second-placed Barcelona in La Liga standings forward of their upcoming El Clasico conflict.
On the opposite hand, PSG has not performed because the first leg, with their final Ligue 1 match ending in a 1-1 draw towards Clermont, leaving them comfortably on the prime of the Ligue 1 desk.
The Champions League is the coveted trophy for PSG, with one other Ligue 1 title virtually secured.
A win within the Champions League can be a becoming farewell reward for Kylian Mbappe, who could depart the membership on the finish of the season.
PSG’s journey on this season’s Champions League has been a mixture of struggles and successes. They completed second within the group stage earlier than defeating Real Sociedad within the spherical of 16.
Their latest Champions League historical past features a semifinal look in 2020-21 and a remaining look in 2019-20, however they’ve additionally confronted early exits in two of the final three seasons.
Barcelona and PSG are on the favorable facet of the draw, and the winner of their tie will face both Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund within the semifinals.
Xavi’s facet might be with out key gamers Gavi and Alejandro Balde as a consequence of long-term accidents whereas Joao Cancelo, Inigo Martinez, and Robert Lewandowski return from suspension.
However, Christensen and Sergi Roberto are suspended for this match.
PSG might be lacking Presnel Kimpembe, Layvin Kurzawa and Sergio Rico as a consequence of damage, with Nordi Mukiele’s availability unsure as a consequence of a head damage.
Source: www.dailysabah.com