Barcelona, PSG to renew antagonism as 2nd-place clubs

In 2012-13 and 2014-15, Barcelona beat Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The two battles featured Spain’s best going up against France’s creme de la creme, as, on both occasions, the Blaugrana went on to win La Liga shortly after, while Les Parisiens went on to conquer Ligue 1.

But times have changed, and when Barcelona pops by PSG on Tuesday in the Champions League’s Round of 16, it will be a fight between two second-place clubs. Luis Enrique’s side finds itself one point behind Real Madrid despite having played two more matches, and Unai Emery’s side is three points behind AS Monaco.

As it stands, a clash involving Barcelona and PSG can’t claim to be the best of what Spanish football and French football offers.

Of course, there will be no shortage of eyes on the 10th meeting between Barcelona and PSG. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar will line up in front of Andres Iniesta at one end of the pitch, and Lucas Moura, Edinson Cavani, and Angel Di Maria will line up in front of Marco Verratti at the other. That much firepower all at once is enough to peak anyone’s interest, and it’s easy to see how the last two quarter-final ties involving the clubs each produced six goals.

But the aura of invincibility surrounding Barcelona and PSG is a thing of the past. It feels appropriate that they meet in the Champions League’s Round of 16, whereas, in recent years, a quarter-final date felt premature.

A visit to Manchester City in the group stage exposed Barcelona’s mortality, illustrating how self-belief and a few minutes of genius from Sergio Aguero is enough to overcome Messi, Suarez, and Neymar. The Blaugrana may have been without Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, and Iniesta, but the victory was proof that opponents are approaching the Catalan club with an inferiority complex.

As for PSG, its group-stage adventure was a mixed bag. Les Parisiens played good football against Arsenal, but manufactured disappointing performances against FC Basel and Ludogorets Razgrad. Lucas missed countless chances, Hatem Ben Arfa was often selfish, and Di Maria looked lost at times. Simply put, Unai Emery’s side doesn’t look capable of winning the Champions League.

The tie will also be missing many of the names from the last time Barcelona and PSG faced off. The Blaugrana no longer possesses Dani Alves or Xavi Hernandez. Les Parisiens no longer boast Yohan Cabaye, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Gregory van der Wiel, David Luiz, or Ezequiel Lavezzi. These are players who contributed to the aura of invincibility surrounding the two clubs, and their absences will be felt.

When Barcelona and PSG exit the tunnel at the Camp Nou on Tuesday, they won’t be doing so as shades of its former selves. The two clubs are almost as strong as ever, and they may go on to win La Liga and Ligue 1, respectively. But the circumstances and climate will be significantly different from when they shared the pitch four times in 2014-15, and, whoever emerges as the victor, will not be feared by its quarter-final opponent as would have been the case two years ago.