FC Barcelona faces a pivotal Champions League quarterfinal second leg match against Paris Saint-Germain, with a place in the last four on the line. The Blaugrana hold a slim 3-2 aggregate lead after the first leg in Paris and are riding a 13-game unbeaten streak under coach Xavi Hernandez. With a huge matchup against Real Madrid in El Clasico looming just five days after the PSG clash, the Barcelona squad is under pressure to perform at their best.
Xavi strategically made eight rotations for their recent match against Cadiz to give some tired players a rest. Key players like goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will likely feature in the lineup, alongside Pau Cubarsi and captain Sergio Roberto. The defensive line will remain unchanged from the first leg against PSG, with Joao Cancelo on the left, Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo in the center, and Jules Kunde completing the quartet. However, suspensions to Andreas Christensen and Sergio Roberto mean changes in the midfield lineup.
Despite the absence of some key players, Xavi has opted to include Pedri in the starting XI against PSG. The young midfielder, who recently returned from injury, has shown he belongs in the world-class category with strong performances. Joao Felix, who scored the winner against Cadiz, will not start, as Xavi has chosen to reward PSG MVP Raphinha with another inclusion on the left wing. Robert Lewandowski will lead the attack as the central target man, after providing excellent hold-up play in recent matches.
The stakes are high for FC Barcelona in this crucial Champions League clash, with the weight of the occasion influencing Xavi’s team selection. The absence of key players due to suspensions means that other squad members have the opportunity to step up and make an impact. The match against PSG will be a test of Barcelona’s strength and determination as they aim to secure a spot in the Champions League semi-finals. Xavi’s lineup choices reflect his confidence in the players he has selected to deliver a strong performance on the night.
The matchup against Paris Saint-Germain is expected to be Barcelona’s biggest of the season so far, with the potential to define their success in the Champions League. With key players like Ter Stegen, Pedri, and Lewandowski in the starting XI, Barcelona will look to make the most of their opportunities and secure a favorable result. The combination of experienced players and young talents in the lineup showcases Barcelona’s commitment to a balanced and impactful performance against a tough opponent like PSG. The outcome of this match could have far-reaching implications for Barca’s Champions League campaign and their season as a whole.
