The Champions League knockout phase kick-starts with a glamourous tie between the Spanish and French giants, Barcelona and PSG, with both the teams confident of securing a favourable result. Barcelona have traditionally been the better side of the two in the recent past where the two have met but things are unlikely to be so straightforward this time around.
Barcelona haven’t been the most balanced this time around and have been reliant on their front 3 to bail them out of trouble on multiple occasions. PSG have also failed to be as domineering as they usually are and are having difficulty in coping up with Monaco. But their recent form has been impressive as they have won 5 of their last 6, drawing 1. Barcelona, on the other hand, have drawn 2 and won 4.
It will be an interesting battle between the two sides and the team which will commit the fewer errors is likely to be ahead in the race.
Let us take a look at 3 key battles which will have an impact on the outcome.
EDINSON CAVANI VS GERARD PIQUE
The Uruguay striker will be facing his International teammate, the much-decorated Luis Suarez. Both the players will be crucial to the fate of the team and they will look to give it their 100%. Cavani has been hit and miss at times this season but is purring lately and with a brace in his last match, will be relishing a challenge. On an astounding 25 goals in 23 matches, he will be a tough one to handle for the likes of Pique and Umtiti who haven’t been the most comfortable in defense this season. Pique is not the one to back down and a good physical and technical battle is on the cards between the two world-class players.
MARCO VERRATTI VS IVAN RAKITIC
Two technically sound players will be manning their respective 3-man midfield and the one who triumphs on the day will have a huge bearing on the game.
Both the teams will look to set the tempo of the game and control it from midfield and Verratti is best suited to do something of that sort for the French side. Rakitic will be one of many on Barcelona’s side and he will be given the task of keeping Verratti quiet.
KEVIN TRAPP VS MSN
The goalkeeper usually has to be a hero whenever a team gets something positive out of a match against Barcelona. And something similar is expected when PSG welcome Barca. The likes of Messi, Neymar, and Suarez arrive innumerable times in the opposition box and have made I a habit of bombarding the goal. They find themselves in 1 on 1 situations with the keeper a number of times and Trapp will come out a real hero if he can keep a few out.
