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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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PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 23: Angel Di Maria of PSG is replaced by Jese Rodriguez of PSG during the French Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at Parc des Princes stadium on October 23, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 23: Angel Di Maria of PSG is replaced by Jese Rodriguez of PSG during the French Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at Parc des Princes stadium on October 23, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /

4. The Real Madrid connection

If PSG are to truly compete in midfield, they’ll need to match up against Barcelona and play a trio. A likely candidate to join Verratti and Matuidi is Grzegorz Krychowiak, who followed Emery to France from Sevilla in the summer.

The Poland international is one of the highest rated defensive midfield players in Europe, although he is taking time to adjust to his new surroundings. It’ll be his responsibility to cut the constant supply line from Iniesta to Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

If Emery is feeling brave, though, he could opt to put one of two former Real Madrid stars in there for a more attacking outlook. Angel Di Maria joined PSG after failing to impress at Manchester United two years ago, while Jese Rodriguez arrived from the Santiago Bernabeu a matter of months ago.

It is much more likely that Emery will opt to play them both in their natural positions out wide, but Di Maria showed his ability to adapt when under Carlo Ancelotti in 2013/14. En route to lifting the tenth European Cup in Real’s history, Di Maria was deployed in a disciplined, yet effective central role.

If he plays on the left, as he would expect to, he will look to exploit the weakest area in Barcelona’s side, right back, by constantly running at them and attempting to get in behind.

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