Barcelona Vs Paris Saint-Germain: Blaugrana Ready To Overthrow The Defending Champion

Jule Kounde, baakal looks fierce at home. (photo: x @fcbaarcelona)

JAKARTA - A match in the final class will be presented in the Champions League league phase, Wednesday night, October 1 local time, when Barcelona hosted defending champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

Both teams came with a winning capital in the opener. Barcelona beat Newcastle United through brace Marcus Rashford, while PSG crushed Atalanta 4-0 at the Parc des Princes.

It has been more than a decade since Barcelona lifted the Champions League trophy when Luis Enrique was still their coach. Now under Hansi Flick, the Blaugrana is again ambitious to control Europe.

Without Lamine Yamal, Barca remained victorious at St James' Park thanks to two goals from Rashford. The victory was part of a series of five consecutive wins, including over Getafe, Real Oviedo, and Real Sociedad, which led them to the top of the La Liga standings after Real Madrid collapsed at the derby against Atletico.

Barca's home record in the Champions League also scared me. They scored at least three goals in the last six of the last seven games at home, with a total of 75 goals in the last 17 UCL games at their headquarters.

PSG also started the European season convincingly. Marquinhos' goals, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes, and Goncalo Ramos escorted Les Parisiens to bulldoze Atalanta. However, they stumbled in a 0-1 loss at Le Classique to Marseille, although they then rose by beating Auxerre 2-0.

History shows PSG has recently been quite superior to Barca. They won 4-1 at Camp Nou in 2021 and 2024. If they win again, PSG will set a new record: being the first team to beat Barcelona three times in a row at home in European competitions.

But the PSG squad is in critical condition. Apart from Ousmane Dembele who was absent until the end of October, they also lost Desire Doue, Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz, and captain Marquinhos. The situation was exacerbated by Vitinha's injury and Kvaratskhelia against Auxerre.

In Barcelona, Lamine Yamal has recovered from a groin injury and even provided Lewandowski's victory over Sociedad. However, Barca still without Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gavi, Joan Garcia, Fermin Lopez, and Raphinha. Alejandro Balde has the opportunity to make a comeback, but Szczesny will still be the main goalkeeper to replace Ter Stegen.

PSG, Marquinhos, Dembele, Doue, Neves, and Fabian Ruiz remain out. Kvaratskhelia is doubtful due to a hamstring injury, while Vitinha is likely to perform.

Without Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, and Doue, PSG's front line is threatened with losing creativity. While Barcelona is in sharp performance, especially at home.

Barcelona is believed to be taking advantage of the momentum to beat defending champions and pave the way for the European throne.

Estimated line-up

Barcelona: Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Martin; Pedri, De Jong; Yamal, Olmo, Rashford; Lewandowski.

PSG: Chevalier; Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Pacho, Mendes; Lee, Vitinha, Zare-Emery; Mbaye, Ramos, Barcola.