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5 reasons Barcelona should be wary of PSG in the Champions League

By Harry De Cosemo

Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani (L) is congratuled by Paris Saint-Germain's Polish midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League group A football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Basel at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on October 19, 2016. / AFP / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani (L) is congratuled by Paris Saint-Germain's Polish midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League group A football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Basel at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on October 19, 2016. / AFP / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images) /
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BARCELONA, SPAIN – DECEMBER 05: Luis Enrique, head coach of FC Barcelona looks on during a press conference ahead of the UEFA Champions League group C match against Borussia Monchengladbach at San Joan Despi training ground on December 5, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – DECEMBER 05: Luis Enrique, head coach of FC Barcelona looks on during a press conference ahead of the UEFA Champions League group C match against Borussia Monchengladbach at San Joan Despi training ground on December 5, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /

2. They have been beaten before

Over the last four seasons, PSG and Barcelona have met in the Champions League four times, across two legs in the 2013/14 quarter finals and twice in the following year’s group phase. The record stands at three wins for the Catalans and one for the team from the French capital.

Crucially, though, the last meeting ended in defeat for Enrique’s side, who saw their defensive frailties exposed by an attack-minded PSG. The score was 3-2 at the Parc des Princes, thanks to goals from David Luiz, Marco Verratti and Blaise Matuidi.

Barça exacted revenge at the Camp Nou with a 3-1 win a couple of months later, but the lessons can be learnt from that night ahead of this clash. Enrique finally attempted to mend defensive issues in the summer by signing Samuel Umtiti from Lyon, a player who has come up against PSG many times during his career, but the Frenchman has not yet fully eradicated the problem.

That night in September 2014 was extremely similar to Barcelona’s defeat earlier this season at Manchester City. It was early in Enrique’s reign and he was still finding his feet, but PSG were able to beat them physically as well as intelligently.

There is a way to beat Barcelona, it has been proven before and PSG will be confident they can repeat theirs and City’s success.

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