Scoreline: PSG 1-3 Barcelona
Barcelona have done the job here and secure a vital 3-1 away win that sets them up nicely for a place in the semi-finals yet again. PSG just had too much class on the sidelines tonight and it told in the end. Neymar and Luis Suarez clinical tonight with the former Liverpool man getting a double. David Luiz once again had a tough night against Suarez. Barcelona looking real strong. PSG licking their wounds.
Paris St-Germain are under-strength and have it all to do as they host FC Barcelona in this Champions League quarter-final first leg. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:45am (AEST).
PSG are a team to be feared following their fantastic second-leg performance against Chelsea in the round of 16.
Down to 10 men early in the contest, PSG still dominated proceedings, and with their backs to the wall managed to secure a 2-all draw that ensured qualification to the next round on away goals.
It’s a great shame then that PSG enter a blockbuster tie against Barcelona severely weakened by injuries and suspensions.
Key duo Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco Verratti are out of PSG’s line-up, after both were booked against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Injuries to David Luiz and Thiago Motta also hurt PSG’s chances of securing a vital home win over Barcelona.
Despite these key absences, PSG do possess strong depth and should be more than competitive against Barcelona at home. After all, they did defeat the La Liga giants at home in the group stages.
Although PSG will pinpoint Lionel Messi as the main threat tonight, it will certainly be interesting to see how PSG’s all-Brazilian back four handle fellow Brazilian star Neymar. Marquinhos, Maxwell and Thiago Silva were superb against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and they will need a repeat of such efforts if they hope to keep Neymar, Luis Suarez and Messi quite.
Upfront, PSG still have the quality necessary to trouble a suspect Barcelona backline. Javier Pastore, Ezequel Lavezzi, Edison Cavani and Blaise Matuidi are all class footballers who will hurt Barcelona if the Catalan giants decide to press too high up the pitch.
With both Verratti and Motta missing, PSG are without two of their strongest pillars in midfield and this is where Barcelona could take advantage.
If PSG were at full strength, a positive result against Barcelona would have been a very real possibility. With plenty of class players on the sidelines though, Barcelona may just do enough to secure a vital away win.
Barcelona to win 3-2.
Alan
Roar Guru
Thanks Roberto
Roberto
Guest
Cheers Alan!
Alan
Roar Guru
Barcelona have done the job here and secure a vital 3-1 away win that sets them up nicely for a place in the semi-finals yet again. PSG just had too much class on the sidelines tonight and it told in the end. Neymar and Luis Suarez clinical tonight with the former Liverpool man getting a double. David Luiz once again had a tough night against Suarez. Barcelona looking real strong. PSG licking their wounds. PSG 1 Barcelona 3
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME PSG 1 Barcelona 3
Alan
Roar Guru
92' - Lucas Moura with a good run. Barca eventually regroup and win back possession. Neymar is fouled now. Soaks up time. PSG 1 Barcelona 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Mathieu earlier with the vital block to keep Cavani's shot out of harm's way. At 2-3, PSG would have been over the moon given that they were 3 nil down.... PSG 1 Barcelona 3
Roberto
Guest
A little annoyed. 3 away goals is a preeetty big advantage
Alan
Roar Guru
Some tight moments for Barcelona late in this second half. Freekick for Barca now. Messi surely will hit this. Good strike and Sirigu forced to punch the ball away. PSG 1 Barcelona 3
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE PSG Gee big moment here! Lavezzi was played in but Adriano with the tackle! Ball falls for Cavani whose shot is blocked just in time! Goodness Barca were opened up there... PSG 1 Barcelona 3
Alan
Roar Guru
88' -Messi hasn't scored in his last three Champions League games including this one. Came close after hitting the post in the first half. Of course he has an assist tonight after playing in Neymar. Alba with a poor ball now. PSG 1 Barcelona 3
Alan
Roar Guru
87' - PSG still not pressing. They should be. Adriano with a great cross but Marquinhos saves the day with the glancing header. Messi was ready to head the ball home. PSG 1 Barcelona 3
Alan
Roar Guru
85' - Still time for PSG to have a last vital say in this contest that seems destined to end in Barca victory over two legs. Messi dangerous here but his pass well cut out by David Luiz PSG 1 Barcelona 3
Alan
Roar Guru
83' - Well a goal is a goal and PSG with a little bit of belief here. Gee if they can get it back to 2-3, Barca would be really annoyed heading into the second leg in Spain. PSG 1 Barcelona 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Van der wiel with a strike on the half volley and the ball comes off Mathieu who scores an own goal! Gee not what Barca needed after going 3 nil up... PSG 1 Barcelona 3
Alan
Roar Guru
82' - Well PSG are gone now. The injuries and suspensions crippled their chances before a ball was kicked tonight. Barca clinical tonight. GOAL PSG PSG 1 Barcelona 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Suarez yet again with a double here! Boy he is on fire now since becoming Barca's no. 9! David Luiz is made a fool of yet again and Suarez with a sweet strike finds the top right hand corner! Its Germany all over again for David Luiz after such a great performance against Chelsea! PSG 0 Barcelona 3
Roberto
Guest
Luis come back to Anfield pls,
Alan
Roar Guru
GOAL BARCELONA PSG 0 Barcelona 3
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Pastore has often got the ball deep in his own half. PSG not pressing at the moment. All Barca PSG 0 Barcelona 2
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Neymar breaks forward now. Finds Messi who fails to execute the one-two pass. Messi tries to find Suarez but the ball reclaimed by PSG PSG 0 Barcelona 2