The Champions League quarterfinal between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona will feature one team looking for validation and one seeking redemption. PSG know they must prove themselves at the highest level. Much like Manchester City, the Parisians have used tremendous financial means to bring in extremely talented players from across the world in a very short amount of time. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva arrived from Milan, Lucas Moura from Sao Paolo, and Ezequiel Lavezzi from Napoli. Players like David Beckham, Maxwell, Javier Pastore, and Gregory Van Der Wiel have also arrived since 2011 to add strength to a suddenly mighty side. With all the new money, manager Carlo Ancelotti has at times struggled to find the right combination and formation, but an eight-point lead in Ligue 1 and trip to the Champions League quarterfinal should be seen as a fantastic achievement. A win against Barcelona would show just how far they have come.
Success against Barcelona does have a blueprint thanks to the likes of Celtic, AC Milan, and Real Madrid (the only teams along with Real Sociedad to beat Barcelona this year). PSG will need to be incredibly organized defensively. Barcelona will certainly have sixty percent of the possession in the game, but that possession must be contained in midfield. The incredible passing sequences of Iniesta, Xavi, and Messi must be funneled toward the center of the defense preferably towards a physically strong and tactically aware defensive midfielder. Wanyama, Ambrosini, and Khedira all did this excellently for their respective teams against Barcelona. Blaise Matuidi is an ideal candidate for this role, but it's a task much easier said than done.
The preferred method of attack for PSG should be the counter attack. Barcelona wingbacks Jordi Alba and Dani Alves love to drive forward to unbalance their opponent's defensive shape. If Barcelona are dispossessed PSG do have the players to attack quickly in the resulting open space down the flanks. Lavezzi excelled as a devastating counter attacking winger for Napoli and could prove vital if PSG are to be successful.
A victory over Barcelona would prove particularly sweet for Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swedish striker never really settled during his time at the Nou Camp. His loan from Barcelona to Milan became permanent in 2011 before his eventual signing with PSG. Ibrahimovic is a player so talented that any attack could provide a magical goal. His combination of size and skill should put Barcelona on high alert particularly form set pieces where he and the equally brilliant Thiago Silva will be waiting dangerously.
It is still amazing how many people had written off Barcelona after their first leg defeated in Milan coupled with losses to Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey and La Liga. No team had ever come back from a 2-0 aggregate deficit in the Champions League. Real Madrid had rattled their confidence. This summer will see massive changes in personnel at the Nou Camp. It's hard to believe these were the storylines about a team thirteen points clear at the summit of La Liga. This all changed when Barcelona battered AC Milan 4-0 to overcome their detractors and advance to the quarterfinal of the Champions League.
The tremendous turnaround came from Barcelona getting back to basics. Incredibly complex and technical basics. David Villa and Pedro returned to the attacking line alongside Messi to re-form a trio that has proven devastating in recent years. Most notably the Champions League in 2011 when Barcelona were crowned champions. Two stunning goals from Lionel Messi in the first half pulled Barcelona level on aggregate, and a vintage curling David Villa finish put them ahead in the second half. Jordi Alba finished the game off in stoppage time and every voice downplaying Barcelona's greatness was silenced.
PSG must attempt to disrupt the rhythm of the Barcelona attack. When Iniesta and Xavi are dictating the play and tempo, finding Messi in pockets of space, and playing inch perfect through passes to David Villa and Pedro, Barcelona do look unbeatable. A potential landmine for PSG however is no matter how organized you are or how hard you work, sometimes there is no stopping Lionel Messi. His brilliant first goal provided so much confidence in the thrilling comeback against Milan. Its difficult to put into words just how fantastic a player he is. His ability to find open space, dance away from defenders, unleash his left footed strikes from near impossible angles, or slip teammates in on goal will be the key to Barcelona's success in Paris.
There will be no shortage of quality on the field Tuesday. With new-money PSG seeking validation as a world-class team and Barcelona looking to reclaim their title as the best team in the world, the match should be spectacular.
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