Barcelona travel to Paris to take on PSG in their Champions League quarterfinal first leg on Wednesday, and will be looking for a repeat of when these sides faced off at this stage in the tournament a couple of years ago, and the Catalans managed to sneak through to the semis on goal difference. Early signs suggest it’s going to be tight again: these sides met in the group stages of this tounament; PSG won in Paris, Barça triumphed in Barcelona.
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Barcelona, Champions League 2015: Start time, TV schedule and team news
PSG will take on Barcelona on Wednesday with a makeshift midfield.
On paper, Barça head in as favourites. Their attack is the strongest in world football, and they sit top of La Liga. However, their collapse to draw 2-2 at Sevilla and reignite the Spanish title race on the weekend will have given PSG hope of beating Luis Enrique’s side to make the semifinals. Laurent Blanc’s outfit have been far from flawless themselves, but seem to be hitting form at just the right time -- both home and abroad.
Key player - Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Lionel Messi is a player capable of winning games single-handedly, even when on an off-day. He can put the ball into the back of the net from just about anywhere -- and, more often than not, does so. If PSG can keep him quiet, they’ve only got Luis Suárez and Neymar to worry about. Oh ...
Key Matchup - PSG’s deepest midfielder vs. Andrés Iniesta and Ivan Rakitić
The absence of David Luiz and likely absence of Thiago Motta must have left PSG coach Blanc scratching his head. He’s really got no good defensive midfielders available for this match, meaning he’ll probably have to turn to youngster Adrien Rabiot alongside Blaise Matuidi and Yohan Cabaye. He’s not naturally an anchorman, and could well be overrun by Barça’s two attacking midfielders. It could well be here that the game is won and lost.
Paris Saint-Germain injuries and suspensions
Out: David Luiz (hamstring), Marco Verratti, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Serge Aurier (suspended). In doubt: Thiago Motta (hamstring).
Barcelona injuries and suspensions
Out: Thomas Vermaelen (thigh), Dani Alves (suspended). In doubt: None.
PSG head into this game seriously weakened by suspensions, with key first-teamers Marco Verratti and Zlatan Ibrahimović both serving one-match bans, and rotation right-back Serge Aurier a three-match one. Defender David Luiz will certainly miss out with a hamstring problem, while midfield anchorman Thiago Motta is doubtful with a similar issue.
Barça defender Thomas Vermaelen is close to returning after nearly a year out, but they won’t throw him in at the deep end in this game. Right-back Dani Alves is sidelined through suspension.
Match Date/Time: Tuesday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local
Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris, France
TV: Fox Sports 1, Fox Soccer Plus (U.S. - English), Fox Deportes (U.S. - Spanish), Sportsnet regional networks (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.), beIN Sports (France), C+ Liga de Campeones / HD, Movistar TV Fútbol (Spain)
Online: Fox Soccer 2Go, Fox Sports GO (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Sky Go (U.K.), beIN Sports Connect (France)
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