The 2nd gameweek of the UEFA Champions League promises some mouth watering clashes with PSG vs Barcelona being the best pick.
The last time these two teams faced each other was in the quarterfinal of the 2012 season. PSG managed to stay unbeaten but were knocked out courtesy of the away goals rule.
Form guide:
PSG: DWDDD
Barcelona: WDWWW
Both the teams are unbeaten in their respective leagues and the Champions League. However, Laurent Blanc’s team have drawn a lot of games that has put the manager under some pressure ahead of the heavyweight clash against Barcelona.
On the other hand, the team from Catalunya have been at their sublime best as they have dropped just 2 points in the league.
Probable lineups:
PSG:
Part of the reason on why PSG have struggled to win games is the absence of a creative midfielder behind their attackers. PSG boast a brilliant attack line of Ibrahimovic, Cavani and Lavezzi but don’t have a star player behind them. Javier Pastore can play in that role but doesn’t seem to start that often. And that fact is echoed in the form of Maxwell and Marco Verratti who have the most number of assists.
The central midfield is one of the best in Europe as Verratti and Blaise Matuidi are a brilliant together, Matuidi is the destroyer in midfield and Verratti plays the role of a deep lying playmaker along with Yohan Cabaye. The defence has been pretty good as they have conceded 5 goals on 8 league games, but it can be better. The Brazilian duo of David Luiz and Marquinhos are expected to start in the heart of defence with former Barcelona player Maxwell and Serge Aurier as the fullbacks.
Barcelona:
Barcelona struggled defensively last season and Luis Enrique’s main concern was to plug the gap of conceding goals, which he has done, and how! Enrique’s team is yet to concede a single goal after 7 clean sheets in the League and Champions League.
Jérémy Mathieu was signed from Valencia in the summer and has been a key component in their defence. The frenchman is set to start with Javier Mascherano in the heart of defence with Adriano and Dani Alves as the fullbacks. Barca’s midfield has always been the best in the world, and the signing of Ivan Rakitic from Sevilla simply makes it even better. Xavi’s departure was imminent in the summer, but he stayed on and is leading the team.
Up front, Neymar and Lionel Messi have been in sumptuous form especially the latter who has an astounding 5 goals and 7 assists to his name in just 6 appearances. 19-year old striker Munir El Haddadi is the recent academy graduate to make his mark as the teenager has put in some good performances. However, it’s likely that Andres Iniesta will start ahead of him in the upcoming game.
