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PSG host Barcelona at the Parc des Princes in the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg on Wednesday.
The first leg at the Camp Nou had ended in a 4-1 win for PSG, with Kylian Mbappe scoring a hat-trick. The French champions have a massive three-goal advantage as they seek to make another deep run in the competition after reaching the final last season.
Barcelona need to score an improbable four unanswered goals, a prospect that looks quite low.
While the Blaugrana completed a historic comeback against PSG in 2017, this time, they need to score four away from home. No team has ever come back in a European knockout fixture in an away game after a three-goal deficit.
Lionel Messi and co will need nothing less than a miracle to continue their Champions League campaign this season. On that note, let's take a look at five key battles that could determine the outcome of the game.
#5 Pablo Sarabia (PSG) vs Jordi Alba (Barcelona)
Barcelona have relied on Jordi Alba's services for a long time now. The Spanish left-back turns 32 this month but still has enough energy in his reserves to run up and down the flanks, contributing actively at both ends of the pitch.
PSG are without Moise Kean for this game, so Pablo Sarabia could take up his place on the right flank. The former Sevilla attacker has been in fine touch recently, scoring the winner in the Ligue 1 game against Bordeaux; he was also on target against Brest in a Cup tie.
Meanwhile, Alba has helped Barcelona keep four clean sheets in their last four games, also finding the back of the net twice during this period. His attacking prowess could help Barcelona reduce some of the deficit on the night. But Alba will have to be at his defending best against Sarabia, whose pace and skills is something the visitors will need to be vary of.
#4 Idrissa Gueye (PSG) vs Frenkie De Jong (Barcelona)
Barcelona's midfield has been the fulcrum of their impressive performances in the La Liga and the Champions League last decade. While they do not have the same calibre of personnel in their ranks at the moment, they still have enough quality in midfield to take the game to PSG.
Frenkie De Jong has missed just one game across all competitions this term. This season, he has been utilised in a defensive and central role, which has allowed him to make the most of his ball-distribution skills while maintaining an impressive 91% pass accuracy.
He has four assists and three goals in the La Liga this term. With Koeman experimenting with a 3-1-4-2 formation recently, De Jong could have an impact in this game.
However, De Jong will most likely be up against Idrissa Gueye on the pitch on Wednesday. The defensive midfielder is known for his tackling, and his interceptions could break up Barcelona's fluid passing game.
The PSG player is averaging 2.5 tackles a game in the Ligue 1 this season, and his experience gives him a slight advantage over De Jong in their impending duel.
Also, Read: 10 players with the most fans in the world.
#3 Marquinhos (PSG) vs Antonie Griezmann (Barcelona)
Barcelona have been heavily dependent on Lionel Messi in the final third in recent games. But another player who could make a difference against PSG going forward is Antoine Griezmann.
The Frenchman has not hit top form this campaign but has scored 12 times and has had 11 assists across all competitions. In the Champions League, the former Atletico Madrid man has scored twice but will be up against Marquinhos, who has been a rock in the heart of the PSG defence over the last few seasons.
The Brazilian defender has assumed the role of a leader on the pitch after the departure of his compatriot Thiago Silva. He has found himself in the thick of things, as the Ligue 1 champions have conceded just 17 goals in 26 league games so far.
#2 Presnel Kimpembe (PSG) vs Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
All eyes will be on Lionel Messi in this game. The Barcelona captain has scored 24 goals across all competitions this season and is in great form at the moment. He scored the only goal for Barcelona in the first leg and will be expected to do an encore at PSG too.
Messi, who has been utilised in a central role this season, will most likely go up against the PSG duo of Presnel Kimpembe and Marquinhos.
Kimpembe has delivered outstanding performances this season and is one of the main reasons for PSG's good defensive record this term.
He has formed a great partnership with Marquinhos at the heart of defence and will have to be at his best to stop Messi from finding the back of the net.
#1 Kylian Mbappe (PSG) vs Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)
While Lionel Messi is probably the best player on the pitch whenever Barcelona are in action, Kylian Mbappe stole the show in the first leg and is expected to do the same in the second too.
However, he will have to get the better of Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has been a wall for the visitors in recent games. In his last five outings since that PSG game, Ter Stegen has conceded just once while conceding four consecutive clean sheets.
He was impressive in Barcelona's Copa Del Rey semi-final second leg win against Sevilla, producing a string of remarkable saves to see his team through to the final.
Nevertheless, both in-form players will hope to lead their sides to a win in Paris, and their duel could be key in the outcome of the game.
Also Read: The 10 highest-paid goalkeepers in the world.
