Undermined by injuries, FC Barcelona will challenge PSG in the quarter-finals of the Champions League without Pedri but with Frenkie De Jong, hoped for from the first leg at the Parc des Princes, in three weeks.
Already deprived of Alejandro Balde and Gavi for the rest of the season, FC Barcelona was hit by a terrible double injury during the clash in Bilbao on March 3. Xavi has indeed lost Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, two of his two best players. The Dutch playmaker sprained his ankle, then the Spanish star suffered a torn muscle.
Will the Blaugranas be able to count on the midfielders against PSG, in less than a month, in the quarter-finals of the Champions League? As indicated Mundo Deportivo, De Jong should be operational for the first leg, on April 9 or 10 at the Parc des Princes. Excellent news. Pedri could be back for the return match in Montjuic the following week. But he will therefore lack rhythm, he the player who shines with his generosity.
Christensen in 6 against PSG?
To beat Napoli (3-1) and climb into the European top 8 on Tuesday, Barça played with a very particular midfield, with Andreas Christensen used for several weeks as number 6 (Oriol Romeu is however a specialist of this position), Ilkay Gündogan, true technical leader of the team, and Fermin Lopez, 20 years old and first scorer against the Partenopei on a cross from Raphinha.
The double confrontation against Victor Osimhen and others also gives FCB guarantees on the defensive level: Pau Cubarsi, 17, was intractable in the duels alongside Ronald Araujo in the hinge. Jules Koundé, used on the right this season, is now a reliable right back. He will perhaps have Kylian Mbappé in his zone… For PSG, they will also have to deceive Marc-André ter Stegen, one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
