A Champions League night with the feel of a final is set for Wednesday, when Barcelona welcome holders Paris Saint-Germain to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Both sides arrive in Catalonia with perfect starts to their group campaigns with Barcelona edging Newcastle United in England, while PSG brushed aside Atalanta in ruthless fashion.
It has been more than a decade since Barcelona last lifted the Champions League, and intriguingly, the man in their opposite dugout this week, Luis Enrique, was the coach who guided them to glory in 2015.
Hansi Flick’s current La Liga champions began their latest European mission on the right note, though, with Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United stealing the headlines. His brace at St James’ Park silenced the home crowd and ensured Barca left with three precious points, despite Anthony Gordon’s late reply for the hosts.
That win formed part of a blistering run of five straight victories for Barcelona. They have risen to the top of La Liga once more, capitalising on Real Madrid’s recent derby collapse to Atletico.
Flick’s side are not just winning, they are doing so with flair, averaging three goals per game domestically and showing their ruthless streak in Europe too. In fact, the Catalans have scored three or more in six of their last seven Champions League home ties, treating fans to a remarkable 75 goals in their last 17 matches on their own turf.
PSG, however, are no strangers to a goal fest themselves. The defending champions announced their return to Europe’s biggest stage in style, dismantling Atalanta 4-0 with four different scorers with Marquinhos, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes, and Gonçalo Ramos all getting on the score sheet. The performance was a chilling reminder of the 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in last season’s final. Enrique now returns to familiar ground, aiming to add Barcelona to the growing list of opponents humbled by his side.
Yet, PSG have shown they are not invincible. Sandwiched between their Champions League masterclasses was a painful 1-0 defeat to Marseille in Le Classique. Still, they bounced back with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Auxerre, settling domestic nerves ahead of this heavyweight clash.
History adds extra spice. The two clubs will forever be linked by the extraordinary 2017 Remontada, but in more recent meetings it is PSG who have held the upper hand. They have twice triumphed 4-1 at this very stadium, in 2021 and again in 2024. Victory on Wednesday would make more history, as no team has ever beaten Barcelona three times in a row away from home in European competition.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Lamine Yamal returned to the Barcelona lineup in style at the weekend, assisting Robert Lewandowski’s winner against Real Sociedad after shaking off a groin problem. The young Ballon d’Or runner-up looks set to keep his place in the starting XI for the visit of Paris Saint-Germain.
But Barcelona’s injury list remains a major headache. Marc-André ter Stegen (back), Gavi (knee), Joan García (knee), Fermín López (back), and Raphinha (hamstring) are all sidelined. Raphinha’s absence in particular could open the door for Marcus Rashford to feature more prominently in attack.
There is at least some good news for Hansi Flick, as Alejandro Balde is expected to return from his hamstring injury. Even so, Gerard Martin may continue in the back four, with Wojciech Szczesny once again deputising between the posts for the injured Ter Stegen and García.
On the other side, PSG will also be missing their own Ballon d’Or star. Ousmane Dembélé, last year’s winner, is still recovering from a hamstring injury and is not expected back until the end of October. He joins Desire Doué (calf), João Neves (hamstring), Fabián Ruiz (muscle), and captain Marquinhos (thigh) on Luis Enrique’s growing injury list.
To make matters worse, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Vitinha both picked up knocks during the 2-0 win over Auxerre. There is real concern over Kvaratskhelia, who is believed to have suffered a hamstring problem, but reports in France suggest there is optimism that Vitinha will recover in time for Wednesday’s clash.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Martin; Pedri, De Jong; Yamal, Olmo, Rashford; Lewandowski
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Chevalier; Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Pacho, Mendes; Lee, Vitinha, Zaire-Emery; Mbaye, Ramos, Barcola
EXPERT PREDICTION
Barcelona 2-2 PSG
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