1. FC Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain UCL preview
2. Champions League lineup FC Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain
3. Key players FC Barcelona vs PSG matchup
FC Barcelona prepares to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarterfinal second leg, with Xavi Hernandez making bold lineup decisions. Despite holding a 3-2 aggregate lead, Xavi considers PSG the favorites and expects a tough match. The coach opts to start the Spain international, emphasizing the importance of midfield control with De Jong, Pedri, and Gundogan. The team lineup remains largely unchanged from their previous victory over PSG, with key players rested for freshness. The starting XI includes Ter Stegen, Cancelo, Cubarsi, Araujo, Kounde, Gundogan, De Jong, Pedri, Raphinha, Lewandowski, and Lamine. Xavi is confident in his team’s ability to secure a spot in the semifinals.
FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez will go all out with his line up for Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Catalans have a 3-2 advantage on aggregate earned from the first installment of the tie at the Parc des Princes.
Despite this, Xavi has previously said that Luis Enrique’s men are the favourites to go through to the last four and stressed at his pre-match press conference on Monday that Barca is “facing one of the best teams in the world and one of the best coaches in the world.
“We’ll see a PSG that will surely be brave,” he added.
Xavi looks set to be so as well by making one huge call. Despite the Spain international not starting since a March 3 meeting with Athletic Club where he pulled up with a reoccurrence of the right thigh knock that plagued him at the start of the season, he will run out from the offset.
Forming a midfield trio with Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Ilkay Gundogan are key for Xavi as he believes “they are players who give us control and the last pass, like Pedri did in the first leg or Gundo in many games”.
“They are very similar, they have pausa and they dictate the pace … We’re facing one of the most intense teams in the world and they don’t give anything away. With space and time, with Gundogan and Pedri, we have a lot to gain,” the coach insisted.
Apart from that, Xavi’s team is almost identical to the one that topped PSG at home last time out.
With only Pau Cubarsi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen not rested at the weekend to take on Cadiz, the Blaugrana’s troops should also be relatively fresh.
Protecting Ter Stegen’s goal, Cubarsi forms a central defensive partnership with Ronald Araujo while Joao Cancelo and Jules Kounde are the left and right backs.
The midfield is as mentioned, and up top we again see two-goal MVP of the first leg Raphinha keeping Joao Felix off the left wing as Lamine Yamal is on the other flank with striker Robert Lewandowski wedged between.
FC Barcelona First XI Vs. Paris Saint-Germain: Ter Stegen; Cancelo, Cubarsi, Araujo, Kounde; Gundogan, De Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Lamine
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FC Barcelona is gearing up for a crucial Champions League quarterfinal second leg clash against Paris Saint-Germain, and head coach Xavi Hernandez is leaving no stone unturned in his preparations. The Catalans currently hold a slim 3-2 advantage on aggregate from the first leg at the Parc des Princes, but Xavi knows that his team will face a tough challenge from the French giants.
In a recent press conference, Xavi emphasized that PSG is one of the best teams in the world, and the upcoming match will be a true test of Barcelona’s abilities. Despite his team’s lead, Xavi remains cautious and has hinted at making some key changes to the lineup for the crucial second leg.
One of the notable decisions by Xavi is to start Spain international, Ilkay Gundogan, who has been sidelined with a thigh injury since early March. Xavi believes that Gundogan’s presence in midfield, alongside Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, will provide Barcelona with the control and creativity needed to break down PSG’s defense.
The rest of Barcelona’s lineup is expected to remain largely unchanged from the first leg, with Pau Cubarsi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen being the only players not rested in the recent match against Cadiz. This should ensure that Barcelona’s players are fresh and ready to give their all in the crucial second leg.
In defense, Cubarsi is set to partner with Ronald Araujo, while Joao Cancelo and Jules Kounde will operate as full-backs. Upfront, Raphinha, the standout performer from the first leg, will again be tasked with providing the attacking threat alongside Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski.
Overall, Xavi’s lineup for the match against PSG is a balanced mix of experience and youth, with a focus on control and creativity in midfield. Barcelona will need to be at their best to overcome the challenge posed by PSG and secure a spot in the Champions League semi-finals.
FC Barcelona First XI Vs. Paris Saint-Germain: Ter Stegen; Cancelo, Cubarsi, Araujo, Kounde; Gundogan, De Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Lamine
As the match approaches, all eyes will be on Barcelona to see if Xavi’s tactical decisions pay off and if the team can secure a vital result against PSG. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting and intense Champions League showdown between two European giants.
Source: Forbes