Champions League: PSG vs Barcelona Relief

Paris Saint-Germain's reaction to the Champions League draw was notable, reflecting a sense of relief upon drawing Barcelona in the quarter-finals. Memories of the Remontada seemed distant as they deemed Barcelona a preferable opponent compared to others. The history between the clubs stands at 12 meetings, with an even record of four wins each and four draws. Notably, their last encounter in the 2020/21 season saw PSG emerge victorious with a 5-2 aggregate win, serving as a redemption for the infamous Remontada of 2016/17.

While acknowledging the talent within Barcelona's ranks, PSG remains content facing a Barcelona team significantly different from the one that inflicted the historic defeat in 2016/17. This sentiment is echoed by Fred Hermel, a Spanish football specialist, who assessed the matchup favorably for PSG during an interview with RMC Sport. Hermel suggests that Barcelona's journey to this stage, marked by struggles against Napoli, indicates a team in recovery despite possessing individual brilliance. With the return of Frenkie de Jong for Barcelona, PSG remains cautiously optimistic but is widely regarded as the favorites, even in Spain.

Barcelona's Challenges Against PSG

Fred Hermel, speaking to RMC Sport, highlighted Barcelona's mixed feelings about facing PSG in the Champions League quarter-finals. Despite the impending return of key players like Frenkie de Jong, Barcelona's recent struggles, particularly evident in their matchup against Napoli, paint a picture of a team in transition. Hermel emphasizes PSG's favoritism, attributing it to their collective strength and Barcelona's perceived weaknesses. While acknowledging Barcelona's individual talents, Hermel suggests that their effectiveness as a team has waned, making them a favorable draw for PSG in the upcoming fixture.

Additionally, Barcelona's journey to the quarter-finals has been marked by inconsistencies and challenges. Their encounter with Napoli, a team onto its third manager of the season, highlighted Barcelona's difficulty in asserting dominance. Despite their victory, Barcelona's performance raised questions about their ability to compete at the highest level consistently. With PSG standing as formidable opponents, Barcelona faces an uphill battle to progress further in the tournament.