PSG's Hopes of Matching Barcelona Dealt Huge Blow by Marco Verratti Absence

On Wednesday night, Paris Saint-Germain face off against FC Barcelona for the third time this season when they meet in the Parc des Princes for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

One huge problem for Laurent Blanc's side is that this is the first time they will face the Spanish giants without the services of Italian Marco Verratti. The 22-year-old—along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic—is suspended for the opening game, and it could prove too big a hole for PSG to fill.

That is not an attack on the quality of the other midfielders PSG have available but a nod to how important Verratti has become to the team this season. It won't help that Thiago Motta will also miss the game. One option would have been to push David Luiz into the midfield, but the Brazilian defender, like Motta, was injured in the 3-2 win over Marseille.

In the first game, PSG won 3-2. Verratti opened the scoring, getting his head to a corner at the back post. Verratti is one of the smallest players on the pitch, and it was his determination and timing that created the opportunity.

Outside of the goal, the tenacious midfielder was everywhere. Without Ibrahimovic, he stepped up and became a leader of the team, helping the attacking trio of Edinson Cavani, Javier Pastore and Lucas Moura push forward with pace and purpose.

The second leg in Barcelona was a tougher game, with the French side seeing much less of the ball. However, Verratti was at his best once again. His defensive performance was inspirational, as he made a team-high five tackles, according to WhoScored.com. Motta wasn't at his best, but Verratti stepped up and tried his best to hold off wave after wave of Barcelona attacks.

Despite his efforts, PSG lost 3-1, but it was the perfect example of how important Verratti is to Blanc's team.

It has been no surprise to PSG fans that the young Italian has grown into one of the team’s best players, but his performances in the Champions League against Chelsea and in the friendly against England have raised his profile outside of Ligue 1.

Jacques Brinon/Associated Press

On Wednesday, Blanc will look towards either Yohan Cabaye or Adrien Rabiot to fill the Italian's huge boots. The 20-year-old Rabiot has started the last three games for the Parisians, so it would make sense for the France under-21 international to continue in Verratti's place.

However, the experience Cabaye would bring can't be overlooked. The former Newcastle United midfielder has played in the Champions League for PSG and Lille and in European Championships and World Cups for France.

Cabaye came off the bench on Saturday as PSG beat Bastia 4-0 in the Coupe de la Ligue final and started as they put four past Saint-Etienne in the Coupe de France semi-final. Those were his first appearances back after picking up another injury against Bordeaux in the league in March.

Both may have to play on Wednesday, and besides Blaise Matuidi, it will be a huge challenge for the PSG midfield to play to the same level as if Motta and, most importantly, Verratti were in the starting XI.

PSG will have to work harder than ever, show no fear and try to give Barcelona very little time on the ball—traits at which Verratti excels.

It says so much about his development that the suspension of Verratti is a bigger loss than Coupe de la Ligue hero Ibrahimovic. Against sides such as Bastia, Ibrahimovic is on another level, but against the challenge of Barcelona, it will be hard for Blanc to replace what the Italian brings to his midfield.

PSG showed against Chelsea that you should never rule them out of any two-leg tie, but this is the biggest challenge the French side have faced all season, and without the industry, hard work and attitude Verratti brings, it looks like an uphill task for Les Parisians to reach the semi-finals.