If there is one team that is rarely spared during its Champions League draws, it is PSG. In recent years, the capital club has often pulled heavy in knockout matches. This year seems to be an exception. Already during the round of 16, Luis Enrique’s team had the chance, if you can call it that, to beat Real Sociedad. Result, without trembling too much, PSG had quietly assured its qualification by winning both meetings (2-0, 2-1). This Friday, Parisian supporters were in front of their televisions to find out which opponent they would have to challenge.
And this time again, there was a very heavy task awaiting PSG with Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and even Manchester City. In the end, Paris was again spared since it drew… FC Barcelona. A big name on paper but a much less impressive team for a few years now and well within the reach of the Kylian Mbappé gang. Above all, PSG finds an opponent it is used to, that of the extremely famous “Remontada”. Under the QSI era, this is also the opponent that PSG has encountered the most in the Champions League with 6 confrontations in 12 years. But this year, Paris has reason to believe it. And this is what Christophe Jallet, a former Parisian, explained on Canal+. “If we judge the current form, Barça is not super dominant whether in La Liga or even during its round of 16 of C1. It’s a team in reconstruction with Xavi who will leave this summer. It’s a team that is sorely lacking in experience, but still has a lot of talent.”.
PSG is optimistic!
After this rather interesting draw, PSG was slow to react while FC Barcelona did not take long before breaking the silence. According to information from Canal+, the capital club did not send any representatives during the draw. We therefore had to wait until a short interview with Marquinhos on the club website to get a reaction. And the Brazilian captain is logically wary of this double confrontation. “The Champions League draw is always a special moment. FC Barcelona is a historic club, a team to respect. He is an opponent that we have faced a lot in the past, with good times and not so good times. We are going to prepare in the best possible way,” he said first before continuing.
“I think there is no favorite in this confrontation. It will be important to study our opponent to know how they play, but the main focus is on us. We showed our strength and our values during these two good performances against Real Sociedad. Now we have to continue working, I think the coach will also want to resolve some details that can make the difference between now and then. We must continue, concentrate on our work and I am convinced that we can achieve great things. » We will now have to respond on the ground. But PSG can believe it!
