Can Barca beat PSG Again???
After losing 2–0 to a Sevilla side without Ocampos last Wednesday, many will consider Barca the most likely between PSG and FC Barcelona to crash out of the Champions league in their Round of 16 tie. All hope is not lost for Barca though, if they can defend properly, they just might make it through.
Barca’s Scoring Form
Before their loss to Sevilla, Barca had been in pretty good scoring form. In fact, one has to go back to 8th December last year to their 3–0 defeat against Juventus to find a match in which they failed to score. Since then Barca has averaged over 2 goals a game scoring 39 goals in 16 games. There is no doubt therefore that Barca can score against PSG. What worries most Barca fans is the team’s defense.
Barca’s Defensive Troubles
In as many games as it took Barca to score 39 goals, the team’s defense conceded 19 goals which averages out to over a goal a game. This, however, does not show the severity of Barca’s situation in defense. 17 of these goals were conceded in 9 games against teams currently in the top-twelve places in La Liga which averages out to almost two goals conceded per game. To compound this problem, Ronald Araujo who has, arguably, been Barca’s best center-back this season is unlikely to feature in the first leg. Samuel Umtiti and Clement Lenglet have also been unreliable lately.
What can Barca do ?
There is a good chance that players like Araujo, Sergi Roberto and Pique will be fully fit for the second leg. Moreover, Lenglet and Umtiti may also have managed to find some form by the then. Barca should do all they can avoid conceding during the first leg and then go for the win in the second leg. Instead of starting either Lenglet and/or Umtiti at center back, Frenkie de Jong should start there with Mingueza.
Here is the Lineup Barca started against Sevilla
Goalkeeper: Ter Stegen
Defenders: Jordi Alba | Samuel Umtiti | Oscar Mingueza | Junior Firpo
Midfielders: Pedri Gonzalez |Sergio Busquets | Frenkie De Jong
Forwards: Antoine Griezmann | Lionel Messi | Ousmane Dembele
As mentioned before, this lineup conceded two goals. Junior Firpo, since his arrival at Barca, has proven to be defensively error-prone and should definitely not start against PSG. Aside one good performance against Granada, Umtiti has not done much either. The world cup winner was actually at fault in both goals conceded against Sevilla. Clement Lenglet may be a better option than these two but has been quite inconsistent this season making individual errors that have led to goals against Barca multiple times; Barca should not risk starting him against a forward line with Mbappe in it.
Here is a more defensively solid lineup:
Goalkeeper: Ter Stegen
Defenders: Jordi Alba | Frenkie De Jong | Oscar Mingueza | Sergino Dest
Midfielders: Pedri Gonzalez |Sergio Busquets | Riqui Puig/Pjanic
Forwards: Antoine Griezmann | Lionel Messi | Ousmane Dembele
De Jong’s Replacements in Midfield
Miralem Pjanic:
Pjanic has been quite average at Barca so far. However, he has had a brilliant career and still has more to give. He is definitely not going to impact the game as much as De Jong does but he has played a lot of big games and should be able to handle himself.
Riqui Puig:
Riqui Puig is probably the best replacement for De Jong in midfield that Barca has. Ever since he refused to go out on loan but rather stay and fight for a place in the squad, he has consistently given Koeman reason after reason to play him. He may not fill de Jong’s shoes perfectly but he will do a good job.
The PSG Factor
Neymar and Di Maria are ruled out for the first leg of the tie. However, Barca cannot afford to underestimate PSG; especially considering the fact that Kylian Mbappe, one of the fastest players alive, will be coming up against Barca’s back line on the night. Barca has had trouble dealing with pacey forwards since last season. A recent example is the goal scored by Inaki Williams in Athletic Bilbao’s 3–2 win over Barca in January. Araujo’s pace could have been useful in keeping Mbappe in check but he is unlikely to be fit enough to start the game. For this one game, Sergino Dest may have to go forward less and focus on marking Mbappe. Keeping Mbappe out of the game as much as possible could prove key to a Barca win.
Conclusion
No matter how good Barca’s attack is on Wednesday, they will have very little hope of qualifying for the Quarter finals of the Champions League if they defend like they have for most of this season. That said, any team with Messi on it can beat any other team in the world; sometimes it’s that simple.