Champions League: Mbappe’s response could determine PSG fate against Barca

It’s crunch time for FC Barcelona. The Azulgrana will play the biggest game of their season so far this Tuesday, at the Lluís Companys stadium as they look to qualify for the Champions League semifinals against PSG.

Xavi Hernandez’s team comes into the game with a slight advantage after winning 2-3 at the Parc des Princes, but everything will be decided at Montjuïc.

The match against Luis Enrique’s team will see Barcelona put their entire season on the line, meaning Xavi will undoubtedly start with his best team.

The Catalan coach chose to rotate his side in La Liga against Cádiz and will have a squad full of fresh legs to take on a tough PSG who play a very intense game, applying suffocating pressure in the opponent’s half.

For the tie, Barcelona have important absentees due to suspension. Neither Sergi Roberto nor Christensen, the scorer of the winning goal in Paris, will be able to play.

This means the pieces in the midfield are minimal. The coach will rely on Frenkie de Jong, Gündogan, and Pedri, with the latter decisive in the first leg as he provided the assist for Raphinha’s second goal.

A key question will be to find out who occupies the base of the midfield, with both Pedri and Gundogan able to play higher up the pitch. Fermín may have a chance to start if Pedri’s feelings are not positive ahead of kick-off, although it seems unlikely.

There is no doubt about the other areas of the pitch. In defence, Koundé will remain on the right, the centre will be saved for Araújo and Cubarsí while Cancelo will play on the left. As in Paris, the awareness to mark Mbappé and Dembélé will be key.

Up front, Lewandowski will play as a center-forward and will be accompanied by Lamine Yamal on the right and Raphinha, the MVP with his brace at the Parc des Princes, on the left. With this eleven, Barça will be looking to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2019.

PSG manager Luis Enrique said,“We are firmly convinced that we will turn the score around,” Enrique said yesterday. “The first match was hard fought by both teams but the result did not reflect what we deserved. The 3-2 scoreline means we have to go for the game.”

PSG started the first leg unbeaten in their previous 27 games in all competitions but were undone by a Barcelona side looking to return to the summit of European football after crashing out in the group stage two years in a row.

PSG were given the weekend off from Ligue 1 action to rest for the second leg, which is an advantage Enrique thinks will help with their game plan.

“We will press from minute one and they will play their game. When we have the ball we will try to create as many chances as possible,” he said.

“The days after the game were difficult for us, but the good thing about football is that there is another game and now we have the idea of what we have to do.”

The victory in Paris was Barca’s first win in the Champions League knockout stage in four years and leaves them full of confidence.

“It’s going to be a major football war,” their manager Xavi said.

They are unbeaten since losing 5-3 at home to Villarreal in La Liga in January which led to Xavi announcing he was stepping down as manager at the end of what then looked like a difficult season.

Now, 13 competitive games without a defeat later, tonight’s challenge seems to have presented itself at the perfect time.

“Happy to be where we are, proud to be where we are. I think it’s a good moment and I’m excited,” Xavi said.

“We have to control our emotions, our temperament ... It’s a game of heads or tails. We want to be in control with the ball, and we want to show the best side and personality of the team.”

PSG welcome back Moroccan full-back Achraf Hakimi, who missed the first leg due to suspension.