PSG Defeat Proves Barcelona Defence Needs to Improve Before the Clasico

Barcelona conceded three goals in the Champions League group stage for the first time in 14 years as PSG showed Luis Enrique that his side needs to improve at the back before they face Real Madrid.

That seems like a knee-jerk statement to make about a side that had kept seven clean sheets in seven games prior to Tuesday night, but it's not.

Paris Saint-Germain were the toughest opposition that Barcelona have faced this season—and by a considerable distance.

While it seemed surprising that they had managed to maintain such a long streak without letting in a goal, the performances of Javier Mascherano and Jeremy Mathieu were strong, and it was not unmerited.

Michel Euler/Associated Press

However, no single team they had faced to date was capable of overwhelming them and putting on pressure for a significant period of time.

Only Athetic Club come close to having the quality required to do that, but Ernesto Valverde's side have been woeful this season and offered little at Camp Nou.

When Barcelona play at home against the likes of Elche and Granada, the only style they need to defend in is against breakaway attacks.

Mascherano and Mathieu are adept at racing back to cut out chances, while Dani Alves and Jordi Alba maraud forward with abandon.

Against PSG, it was different. While both Mathieu and Mascherano did play reasonably well, it was a game far removed from those they have experienced thus far.

In fact, the next time they play a game with this intensity will be when they travel to the Santiago Bernabeu to face Real Madrid on October 25.

The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez will be looking to exploit any weaknesses displayed, and there were plenty on show as PSG went to town. 

It would be tempting to pin a lot of the blame for this defeat on the shoulders of Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

The German goalkeeper came in to replace Bravo, making his second appearance of the season.

Bravo has featured in all of Barcelona's La Liga matches and is only 20 minutes away from breaking a club record for not conceding at the start of the season.

Ter Stegen, meanwhile, has only been given game time in the Champions League, playing just the solitary game against Apoel Nicosia before the PSG clash.

In that match, he had nothing at all to do, with the exception of one late save in stoppage time.

He was helpless for the first PSG goal, with Mascherano outmuscled by David Luiz, who slotted home after a free-kick had been launched into the box. Dani Alves had given it away; after being dispossessed close to his own goal, he conceded a foul for handball.

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

But for the second, Ter Stegen came out to get a corner, ending up in no man's land and had to watch Marco Verratti head into the empty net.

He didn't inspire a lot of confidence in the defence, it has to be said, but not everything will be fixed when he goes back on the bench.

An additional boost to the back line this season has been the form of Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic, but they were both neutralised by Verratti and Blaise Matuidi bustling about in midfield.

Toni Kroos and Luka Modric don't possess the same drive as those two but will still put up a fight.

There is no need to panic, but Barcelona and Enrique will know that improvement is necessary. Particularly so at set pieces, which is how they conceded two goals here.