Xavi's team holds a narrow advantage going into the second leg of their quarter-final after clinching a 3-2 victory in the first leg in Paris last week. Barcelona has been in excellent form since Xavi announced his departure as head coach at the end of the season, remaining unbeaten in 13 games across all competitions and securing 10 wins during this period.
Although there's hope within the Catalan club that Xavi might reconsider staying, for now, the focus remains on the current campaign, with Barcelona fighting for two trophies.
Raphinha was the standout performer in the first leg in Paris, scoring twice, while Andreas Christensen sealed the win with a goal in the 77th minute, giving Barcelona a 3-2 advantage heading into the return fixture.
Barcelona has faced disappointment in recent Champions League campaigns, being eliminated in the group stage in the last two seasons and failing to progress past the quarter-finals since 2018-19. They lead PSG in their overall head-to-head record but suffered a 4-1 defeat in the last-16 first leg in February 2021.
Barcelona enters the match following a 1-0 victory over Cadiz in La Liga and has won their last four league games. Despite this, Real Madrid maintains an eight-point lead over them in the league standings ahead of El Clasico next weekend.
PSG hasn't played since the first leg, with their last Ligue 1 match ending in a 1-1 draw against Clermont, leaving them comfortably at the top of the league table. While another Ligue 1 title seems likely, PSG's focus is on the Champions League, with hopes of winning the trophy, especially with the potential departure of Kylian Mbappe.
Barcelona struggled in the group stage but managed to advance to the knockout rounds. PSG reached the semi-finals in 2020-21 and made the final in 2019-20, but they've faced early exits in two of the last three tournaments.
Both teams are aware of the challenge ahead, but this side of the draw offers an enticing opportunity for the winner, who will face either Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund for a place in the final.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Barcelona continues to be without Gavi and Alejandro Balde due to long-term injuries, ruling them out of selection until next season. However, there are no new fitness concerns reported by the Catalan side, and they welcome back Joao Cancelo, Inigo Martinez, and Robert Lewandowski, who were suspended for the league match against Cadiz.On the flip side, Barcelona will be missing Christensen and Sergi Roberto due to suspension, both having picked up milestone yellow cards in the first leg against Paris Saint-Germain last week.
Pedri, who has made appearances off the bench in the last two games after recovering from a thigh injury, is expected to start. Additionally, promising youngsters Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal are set to feature in the starting lineup.
For PSG, Presnel Kimpembe, Layvin Kurzawa, and Sergio Rico remain sidelined, while Nordi Mukiele's availability hinges on a head injury assessment. Achraf Hakimi, suspended for the first leg, returns to the team at right-back. Head coach Enrique may also introduce Goncalo Ramos and Warren Zaire-Emery into the starting lineup.
Ousmane Dembele faces his former club once again, while Kylian Mbappe aims to build on his four goals against Barcelona in the Champions League.
Marco Asensio is expected to make way for Ramos, with Lee Kang-in and Nuno Mendes likely to start on the bench for Tuesday night's match.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Barcelona possible starting lineup:Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Cancelo; Pedri, Gundogan, F de Jong; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Hernandez; Zaire-Emery, Ruiz, Vitinha; Dembele, Ramos, Mbappe
EXPERT PREDICTION
Barcelona 2-2 PSG
