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PSG, Barca set to renew Champions League rivalry

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, April 10, 2024
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FC Barcelona come face to face with their recent past, while Atletico Madrid need their home form to continue as the two sides play the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal ties on Wednesday.

Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe (1st R) competes during the French League 1 football match between Paris-Saint Germain (PSG) and Strasbourg (RCSA) at Parc de Prines in Paris, France, Oct. 21, 2023. (Photo by Jack Chan/Xinhua)

Barcelona travel to Paris to face Paris Saint Germain, who have former Barca and Spain coach Luis Enrique at the helm, likely Real Madrid signing Kylian Mbappe leading their attack and former Barca winger Ousmane Dembele on the wing.

Xavi Hernandez's side have improved in recent weeks, although with an eight-point deficit to Real Madrid in La Liga, the Champions League remains their only realistic option for a title this season.

Barca are still without long-term absentees, Gavi and Alex Balde, while Pedri and Andreas Christensen also miss the game, with Pedri putting the finishing touches to his recovery from yet another muscle problem, and Christensen still struggling with his Achilles tendon.

Frenkie de Jong has recovered from an ankle injury and will be able to play.

PSG beat Real Sociedad in the previous round, with the side from San Sebastian unable to deal with Mbappe's pace and power, and he will be the threat down the Paris left flank.

Dembele will carry the threat down the right, with the winger finding the consistency that he struggled to produce in La Liga, due partly to a constant stream of injuries.

Enrique may not be a popular coach, and has shown his authority at times by leaving Mbappe out of the starting 11, but he has also succeeded in making PSG a more solid block of a side, when previously they were a talented group of individuals that was capable of thrilling attacking play, but vulnerable in defense.

Atletico Madrid have lost striker Memphis Depay for their game at home to Borussia Dortmund, while defender Mario Hermoso is also out for Diego Simeone's men.

Atletico have shown different faces at home and away this season and that means they have to seal a good result in front of a packed Metropolitano Stadium to take to Dortmund next week.

Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata will lead the Atletico attack, with Samuel Lino offering width on the right and Manuel Llorente making powerful runs from deep as Atletico look for a cushion for the return leg. 

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