Barcelona vs. PSG: Issues and Decisions That Will Shape UCL Game
Barcelona host Paris Saint-Germain in a most mouth-watering final Champions League group game on Wednesday.
It's a game the Catalans have to win if they want to progress as group winners—a draw is good enough for the visitors, thanks to their 3-2 win over the Blaugrana in Paris.
While there are no easy games in the knockout stages of the competition, finishing atop the group should at least mean one of the favourites to win "old big ears" is bypassed until the quarter-finals.
It promises to be tense, tetchy and terrific!
Let's take a look at a few things that could shape the outcome of the game...
The Return of Zlatan
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Ex-Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns to a former place of employment no doubt looking to inflict further pain on some of his old colleagues.
Whenever the Swede has returned to Camp Nou, it's always provided the fixture concerned with a little bit of extra spice, and it'll be no different this time.
Four goals in his last seven appearances represents something approaching his best form, but the injury that ruled him out of the first leg has curtailed his prowess somewhat this season.
That said, he will certainly be a threat and is more than capable of giving Barca's back line a most rigorous assessment of their credentials.
Barcelona's Full-Back Weak Point
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It would be fair to suggest that Barcelona's defensive problems stem from an inability to defend a high ball into the box. This was borne out by the goal scored by Marco Verratti in the first game between the sides in September.
However, the real problem lies in the wider areas.
If Barca's full-backs were not constantly out of position, then opposition attackers would not have the time and space to deliver crosses in the first place.
Looping back to that first game, Lucas Moura took Jordi Alba back to school in this respect, and it was embarrassing to watch at times.
If Barca retain any interest whatsoever in claiming top spot in the group, then it's down the flanks where they must shut up shop.
Unbeaten PSG
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Though we may not have seen vintage free-flowing football from PSG this season, the fact remains they are still unbeaten in mid-December. No mean feat in any of the top European leagues.
Neymar's team-mates at international level Thiago Silva and David Luiz have been a part of a defence that has conceded just 12 goals in 17 Ligue 1 games this season—the best record in the division.
Silva, the PSG captain, is confident his side has what it takes to continue the run too. Per an interview with L'Equipe and reported by Yahoo via Reuters, the Brazilian noted: "It's a special game and I think we can win at Barcelona or at least get a draw."
After 23 games without a loss in all competitions, it's hard to argue against his point of view.
The Importance of Messi, Neymar and Suarez
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Thiago Silva and David Luiz may be revelling in their unbeaten run, but they've yet to face Barca's front three.
Lionel Messi and Neymar were brilliant in the first match, both getting on the scoresheet, but Luis Suarez was still serving his ban at the time.
If the French side found it hard to contain two of the three, then Suarez's addition potentially poses them a real problem.
His solitary goal for the club so far came in the Champions League, and the Uruguayan is certainly due another. The fact that he hasn't registered more than once isn't for want of trying.
Only the woodwork and the smallest of other margins have kept Suarez at bay.
It is a case of the irresistible force meeting the immovable object in this one.
History Against the Catalans
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Although it was Barca who progressed to the latter stages of the competition at PSG's expense the last time the two sides met, it was by virtue of away goals.
In both friendly and competitive games, the Catalans have yet to get the better of their French counterparts.
A minor detail perhaps, but something that could still play on the minds of the Barcelona players as they go looking for the win they need to finish top of the group.
