UCL: The Clash Of The Titans Barcelona vs PSG
As Europe elite clubs fight for a place in the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions league, one that stands out is the game involving the old foes, Barcelona versus Paris Saint Germain.
This is the fourth knockout clash between the two clubs and the Catalan giants has been successful in all the previous three. The last one was in 2017, it was even more embarrassing, not only for PSG but to the football world, because people put doubt on the capability of the Catalans.
It was the first time a team overturned a four nill away deficit in the history of the Champions league.
That moment of magic was made possible by the injured PSG player Neymar da Silva Santos jr, he scored two late goals to put the tie at 5:1 and then set up the winner on 90 + 4 minutes, for which Sergio Roberto scored to make it 6:1.
It was the most famous come back in the Champions league history, a was a historic victory for the Catalans which they can never forget of, a victory never to be forgotten.
And now the two clubs are meeting again in a knockout round again. The season hasn’t been good for both the clubs, and one could say that had Neymar been around, it will have been difficult to predict a winner for the game, but the absence of Neymar proves to be the only difference, especially when the Catalans has their talisman in fine form.
The load will now be on Klian Mbappe to deliver on this stage, he has done it many times but not against the Catalans.
Should PSG win this tie is going to be their first ever at the Camp nou.
Barcelona are currently third on the league table , though they have played a game less to second placed team Real Madrid.
Their fine form in Laliga recently has given them hope of beating last season’s finalist PSG at the Nou Camp.They have only lost twice against the French Champions, winning four against them and also sharing the spoils on three different occasions.
Psg also have not had a good season either, they are second on the league table, a point behind Lille.
They had to sacked their coach Thomas Tuchel to give way for former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino.
So is a mixed season for both clubs going into this game. Psg will be motivated by their performance last season to try to frustrate the Catalans at their own yard, but the 8:2 demolition to Bayern Munich last season is still in the minds of the Catalans. They will not want to be embarrassed again like what they experience in the hands of Roma, Liverpool and recently Bayern in the last three seasons.
So this game will be tough and difficult for both the clubs.
The Catalans can only boost of Lionel Messi , who has been their main man for a decade now.
He always comes out with special things which is why many called him the “GOAT” greatest of all time.
So make time to watch the battle of the titans as we have titled it, It will be the biggest match of the week.
By Saaka Yakubu Issah
