Barcelona’s European dreams were left in tatters as they were embarrassed 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 showdown. The Catalan giants were brushed aside by a PSG side that has now scored 17 goals in the Champions League this season. That loss in the first leg equaled their heaviest defeat in European competition. Barca’s previous such-defeat came in the semifinal first leg against Bayern Munich back in 2012-13 when they lost the return leg 3-0 at home.
The odds are definitely stacked against Barcelona as no European club has ever overturned a first-leg 4-0 away defeat in a Champions League knockout tie (it has happened five times in the past). If there’s one team in the world, though, who can do the improbable this coming Wednesday, it’s got to be Barca. The Catalans have in their ranks one of the best players in the world in Lionel Messi. The Argentinian leads the tournament in scoring this season with 10 goals.
He has been instrumental in Barca’s resurgence with the Spanish giants scoring 15 goals in their last four La Liga matches. Barcelona destroyed Celta Vigo, 5-0, this past weekend to return to the top of La Liga. Messi scored two superb individual goals for the five-time Champions League winners who need to produce a similar display against PSG on Wednesday if they are to overturn that daunting 4-0 deficit.
PSG are virtually secured a spot in the quarterfinals after a dominant 4-0 home win over Barcelona in the first leg. Goals from Angel Di Maria, Julian Draxler and Edinson Cavani secured the win for the French giants, who have been outstanding during their Champions League run. They’re still unbeaten in Europe this season, winning four of their matches and drawing thrice.
Even with their commanding lead in the tie, don’t expect PSG to take their foot off the gas in the second leg. They know fully well the threat that Barca possesses especially at the Nou Camp. The Catalans have scored 11 goals in their last two home games in La Liga. PSG will need to be compact at the back and hit Barcelona on the counter-attack for this crunch showdown. They tormented the Catalans with that tactic in the first leg with Julian Draxler and Angel Di Maria wreaking havoc against Barca’s exposed full-backs.
Writer’s Prediction
Barcelona (-280) pull off a 3-1 second leg victory.
