On Tuesday Barcelona will look to finish the job they started away in Paris last week, when Luis Enrique’s Catalans netted three away goals en route to a comfortable 3-1 victory in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal. The win means that PSG need to score at least thrice to stand any chance of overturning the first leg’s result to make the semifinals. It’s a mammoth task for Laurent Blanc’s outfit.
Barcelona vs. Paris Saint-Germain, Champions League 2015: Start time, TV schedule and team news
Barça will be hoping to pick up where they left off.
It’s not hard to envisage the Parisians scoring -- they’re buoyed by the return of star striker Zlatan Ibrahimović from suspension -- though it’s rather more difficult to imagine them keeping a clean sheet. Barça boast the most dangerous attack in world football, and head into this game in some pretty good form. They recorded a crucial 2-0 win at home to Valencia to maintain their gap over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga on the weekend, and should again cause massive problems for PSG’s defence.
Key player - Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain)
This season has probably been Marco Verratti’s best yet. The young Italian midfielder is slowly but surely maturing into a good midfield all-rounder, having started off as a one-dimensional passer. Against Chelsea in the last round he was excellent with his defensive positioning as well as in his invention, and he’ll be instrumental in both winning the ball back and triggering counter-attacks in this match.
Key Matchup - Barcelona's attack vs. PSG's defence
Considering it is the most expensively assembled defence in football, PSG's back line in remarkably shaky. With star man Thiago Silva a doubt for this game, Blanc may be forced into making an already weak defence even weaker, which is a worry when you're up against players like Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar. Expect the hosts to add to their tally.
Barcelona injuries and suspensions
Out: None. In doubt: Thomas Vermaelen (thigh).
Paris Saint-Germain injuries and suspensions
Out: Serge Aurier (suspended). In doubt: Thiago Motta (hamstring), Thiago Silva (thigh)
Barcelona will likely still be without the long-term injured defender Thomas Vermaelen, who is yet to make his debut for the Catalans. Dani Alves is back available after a suspension. PSG will still be without the suspended Serge Aurier, though have Marco Verratti and Zlatan Ibrahimović back available. Thiagos Motta and Silva both face late fitness tests.
Match Date/Time: Tuesday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
TV: Fox Sports 1 (U.S. - English), ESPN Deportes (U.S.), Sportsnet regional network (Canada), ITV 1 (U.K.), TVE La 1, TV3, Movistar TV Fútbol (Spain), Canal+ (France)
Online: Fox Soccer 2Go, Fox Sports GO, Watch ESPN (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), ITV Player (U.K.)
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