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Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona promised to be a classic Champions League clash, and it delivered duly.
Paris Saint-Germain secured a big scalp moving past Barcelona 3-2.
I’ll be back tomorrow for further Matchday 2 action tomorrow, as I bring you the Group A clash between Atletico Madrid and Juventus.
FINAL SCORE:
Paris Saint-Germain 3
Barcelona 2
The glamour match of the UEFA Champions League arrives at the French capital, as big spenders Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona do battle in Matchday 2. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:30am (AEST).
Having drawn at Ajax in the previous match day, PSG approach this fixture with a larger need for three points than their Catalan counterparts.
Yet both teams were unconvincing in their opening game, with Barca squeaking past Cypriot minnows APOEL via Gerard Pique, while PSG’s early lead courtesy of Edinson Cavani was cancelled out by Lasse Schoene’s free kick.
With the expectancy of Ajax likely taking three points in Cyprus, both the group favourites have no choice but to aggressively pursue three points – all of which makes for a tasty encounter.
PSG’s domestic form makes for little better reading – they currently stand fourth in the Ligue 1 table after a shaky start.
Consistency has been the main problem for Laurent Blanc’s side, as outside of the dangerous duo of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cavani, the French side has struggled to maintain a consistent goal threat.
Now that the enigmatic Swede has been ruled out against his former club, Blanc may opt to retain Jean-Christophe Bahebeck, or turn to the out-of-favour Ezequial Lavezzi I support of Cavani.
Still missing is captain Thiago Silva through injury, as Blanc relies on David Luiz and
Zoumana Camara in the heart of defence.
The key player will likely be the defensive midfied presence of Italian Marco Verratti, whose task it is to keep quiet a strikeforce of Neymar and Messi that struck five out of six on the weekend.
Travelling to Paris should hold no fears for Luis Enrique’s team – particularly with a defence that is yet to concede a goal in competitive play this season.
Top of the table in La Liga and having done enough to secure three points against APOEL on Matchday 1, Barcelona face their first major test this season against PSG.
The only change for Enrique may come in the front three, where he may opt for either Andres Iniesta or Pedro to replace youngster Munir El Haddadi.
The other selection that may prove interesting is on who holds the mantle of Barca’s number one goalkeeper.
The Chilean Claudio Bravo has started all six of the team’s La Liga fixtures, while German Marc-Andre ter Stegen was preferred for the game against APOEL.
Undoubtedly, it is the home team with the more to prove, and given largess of Qatar Sports Investment’s impact at PSG, progressing past the group stage is a must.
While easier fixtures against APOEL lie in wait for PSG, there is a feeling the club can’t wait that long, and that a win is needed against Barcelona.
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