Why Supporting Cast, Not Lionel Messi, Can Help Barcelona Past PSG

Luis Suarez and Neymar were undoubtedly the stars of the show for Barcelona in their Champions League quarter-final first leg vs. Paris Saint-Germain.

Lionel Messi provided his usual outstanding excellence with an assist for Neymar, and he was a whisker away from another goal in the competition himself, the upright just denying him the opportunity to add his name to the scoresheet.

Such was Barca's overall dominance that Messi was able to drift in and out of the game with no loss of output as far as the Blaugrana were concerned.

He didn't need to be involved quite as often as he is usually. Indeed, what we saw was another example of how the team are ridding itself of "Messi-dependence," and that is directly down to the contributions and movement of players like Suarez and Neymar.

The goals, when they came, were outstanding. Suarez's contribution in terms of his ratio of shots to goals now is beginning to draw comparisons with his Liverpool vintage.

Another player who has grown in stature during his first season with the club and who is sure to make an impact in the second leg is Ivan Rakitic.

We saw in Paris just how efficient the Croatian was in Barca's midfield, especially when you consider he was, at various points in the match, up against the talents of Yohan Cabaye, Blaise Matuidi and Adrien Rabiot.

Rakitic seems to be the quiet man, but his football often speaks volumes. On the pitch for 73 minutes in Paris, his pass accuracy of 95.7 percent, per WhoScored, was one of the best Barca had to offer on the night.

Four tackles and an interception evidenced some solid defensive work too when required, and with some big guns back for PSG in the second leg, more of the same will be required.

Quick transitional play with more verticality seems to be a style that Luis Enrique is favouring at the moment, and Rakitic is expert at the delivery, allowing Messrs. Suarez and Neymar to penetrate in the danger areas.

Messi is unlikely to spend the entire game on the periphery because, frankly, that would be a waste of a tremendous resource. However, with the Argentine likely to be targeted by Laurent Blanc as the danger man, keeping him almost "in reserve" is a tactic that could unsettle the French champions.

Suarez will relish another battle against David Luiz and if the outcome is the same, there will be more question marks over a player that quite clearly prefers a midfield domain.

Emilio Morenatti/Associated Press

Neymar too remains ultra-confident while in possession of the football. Incisive and very often decisive.

He will continue driving into the heart of enemy territory knowing that his intelligent running will bring reward at some stage.

Michel Euler/Associated Press

As we saw against Manchester City, Rakitic is expert at taking advantage of space in behind, further up the pitch and in between the lines. If either Neymar or Suarez can open up those channels with their movement, then the Croatian should add to his goals tally once again.

There's little doubt he's taken over the mantle at this juncture from a fading Andres Iniesta, and depending on the severity of his injury from the first leg, the Spaniard might well sit out this one unless it becomes absolutely necessary for him to play.