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Barcelona host Paris Saint-Germain at the Camp Nou tonight and it looks like the visitors will need to play out of their skin to get a positive result.
Narratives are aplenty in the buildup to this mouth-watering UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. There have been plenty of words exchanged between staff and players over Paris Saint-Germain's pursuit of Lionel Messi in the recent past.
When the tie was initially drawn, it looked like the scales were tipped in Paris Saint-Germain's favour. Barcelona were struggling and their main players were not contributing as well as they would have wanted.
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However, a lot can happen in the course of two months and Paris Saint-Germain have gone from world-beaters to a team that's still settling down under a new manager while Barcelona have kept improving.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the reasons why Paris Saint-Germain are expected to endure a difficult time at the Camp Nou tonight.
#5 History favours Barcelona over Paris Saint-Germain
One of the greatest comeback wins in the history of the UEFA Champions League has come in this fixture. Back then, Neymar was Barcelona's main man as they overturned a 4-0 deficit at the Camp Nou by beating Paris Saint-Germain 6-1.
Barcelona have been able to knock out Paris Saint-Germain in each of their last three knockout stage ties. The last time Paris Saint-Germain eliminated Barcelona in a Champions League knockout stage game was back in the 2014-15 season.
Paris Saint-Germain have also never beaten Barcelona at the Camp Nou and that makes this proposition quite a daunting one. Barcelona have also made it to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League in all of their previous 13 seasons. If they reach the quarter-finals this time around, it will be a new record.
#4 Barcelona have home advantage
Barcelona do not have a great away record in Europe. As such, it is critical that they score as much as they can and win the first leg. As mentioned earlier, Paris Saint-Germain haven't beaten Barcelona at the Camp Nou.
The only French side to beat the Cules on their own turf was Metz, who did it way back in October 1984. Barcelona's last loss at home this season was back in December when they lost 3-0 to Juventus.
Since then, Ronald Koeman's side have been able to get the better of all their opponents at the Camp Nou and they will be hoping that the trend kicks on.
#3 Barcelona are on a good run
Save for defeats against Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao over the past two months, Barcelona have been in good form going into the game against Paris Saint-Germain.
They have also been in good goalscoring form of late. Since that 3-0 defeat against Juventus, Barcelona have ducked out just once in eighteen games and that was in their recent loss against Sevilla.
They enjoyed a thumping win over the weekend, beating Deportivo Alaves 5-1 thanks to braces from Lionel Messi and Francisco Trincao. The Catalans have scored 15 goals from their last four La Liga matches.
There are plenty of goals in the side and that's a step in the right direction for Barcelona under Ronald Koeman.
#2 Paris Saint-Germain have to rely on Mbappe in the absence of Di Maria and Neymar
Paris Saint-Germain will go to Camp Nou to take on Barcelona without two of their key attacking outlets in Neymar and Angel Di Maria. Both players have been ruled out of the game and that is a huge blow for Paris Saint-Germain. This means that the Parisiens will be heavily reliant on Kylian Mbappe to deliver the goods tonight.
While Mbappe has been in staggering form of late, his recent record in the UEFA Champions League for Paris Saint-Germain is worrisome. The youngster has not scored in his last nine appearances in the Champions League knockout stages.
Mbappe will be hoping that Marco Verratti will be able to provide him with ample service. However, the Italian is nursing a hip problem and even if he is available to play tonight, Barcelona will be aware that if they can keep Verratti silent, then half their job is done.
#1 Lionel Messi is in great form
After enduring a difficult start to the season, Lionel Messi has kicked into form at the right time as far as Barcelona are concerned. The Argentine has been excellent for Blaugrana of late and has been crucial to the form they've been exhibiting over the past couple of months.
Lionel Messi has scored nine goals in his last nine outings across all competitions. More importantly, he scored two goals and provided an assist against Deportivo Alaves this past weekend. He will be raring to go against Paris Saint-Germain tonight.
Barcelona will rely on Lionel Messi and given the form he is in, he should have no problem delivering the goods in this all-important fixture.
Messi's impact goes way beyond the goals he scores but now that he has started adding them to his kitty as well, Barcelona will fancy their chances in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain tonight.
