It feels like an eternity since we last saw Barca in action. With 10 days off to rest and prepare, we are finally back in action. And its a big one. It is by far and away our biggest game of the season. And one of the biggest games we’ve been apart of for a good few years. We live for occasions like this. This club lives for occasions like this. Tonight, from 9pm local time in the french capital, its the champions league quarter final first leg. It’s Barça against PSG. It’s a massive test for this young and exciting Barca side and its not going to be a simple game by any stretch of the imagination. Mentality is the most important in games like this. So without further ado, lets jump straight into the build up.
A Quick Look at our opponents:
PSG and Barca have developed a strong hatred for each other over the years. On the Parisian side I don’t think they’ve yet got over the incredible comeback we performed on them in 2017, and i think for a lot of different reasons, Barca fans have grown sick of PSG. So tensions are high already coming into the game, and that’s before we get onto the pitch. Of course, not only do PSG have a talented squad, they also have a lot of familiar faces as well as possibly the best player on the planet. Kylian Mbappe can decide games by himself and its important to keep a close eye on him of course. But we can’t also forget about another french winger in the team.
This time in the form of Ousmane Dembele. He’s a former Barca player, we all know that, and the way in which he left still annoys fans to this day. He abandoned the trust that Xavi put in him, and the patience that a lot of us gave him over the years. On his day, he’s an incredibly dynamic player who can be world class at times, so we have to be careful of course with him too.
Our former boss Lucho is the current head coach of PSG, so the talent on the pitch will be orchestrated by him. Which is why its not going to be an easy game at all. But its an incredible opportunity for this young Barca team to stand some authority in Europe and show what we can do.
Predicted lineup:
On our end, coming into the game, barring Gavi and balde, we arrive with a fully fit squad for the first time in a long time. Gavi is also travelling with the squad which is great to see, although of course unfortunately, we wont be able to use him in the game. For me, I think the way in which we will possibly lineup should be quite clear.
The back 4 I wouldn’t change. Keep Kounde at right back with Araujo, Cubarsi and Cancelo filling the rest of the defence in. In midfield, if Christensen really is 100% fit then he starts alongside Gundogan.
Maybe Roberto could replace Christensen if he isn’t 100%, but I wouldn’t really want to see that. Frenkie De Jong is also expected to start in the game, making his comeback from injury. Which is a huge boost to the midfield. And in attack, for me, it would be Yamal off the right in what will be a massive game for him. Lewandowski down the middle, with the passion and energy of Raphinha off the left. For me, that’s the strongest team we could put out.
My starting 11:
Ter Stegen
Kounde- Araujo- Cubarsi- Canceló
Gundogan- Christensen- Frenkie
Yamal- Lewandowski- Raphinha
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