Barcelona vs PSG Preview: Will Messi start?

Two teams have already made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League. Real Madrid was perhaps a no-brainer as soon as the UEFA draw came out, although Didier Drogba, Wesley Sneijder & Co. did manage to give them a little scare as Galatasaray defeated Real 3-2, but Real managed to go through on an aggregate score of 5-3. The story of the other quarterfinal was different and downright dramatic as Borussia Dortmund scored twice in injury time to make a comeback from the brink of elimination. Poor Malaga who were perhaps already thinking of a celebration party once they returned home had been dealt a sucker punch right in the last minute. But credit to them that in a season in which they had their more than their fair share of financial problems, they managed to get so close to a semi-final berth.

Gerard Pique jumps on Xavi of Barcelona as they celebrate with teammates after scoring the teams second goal during the UEFA Champions League QF against PSG at Parc des Princes on April 2, 2013 in Paris, France. (Getty Images)

So that leaves us with two quarterfinals in which Bayern Munich have a comfortable 2-0 lead over Juventus and Barcelona had drawn 2-2 against Paris Saint-Germain. PSG will be looking to cause an upset by taking advantage of a shaky Barca defence and Barca will be looking to fully utilise their home advantage, something they did very well against Milan to overcome a two-goal deficit for the first time in the history of the Champions League.

The Barcelona Camp

Adriano, Pedro and Lionel Messi are part of the squad despite not yet receiving the medical green light. It is still unclear whether Messi will start the match as reports indicate that the latest tests predict a 50% chance of the hamstring injury relapsing should he play the match. Since both Javier Mascherano and Carles Puyol are injured, that opens the central defender slot for either Adriano or Marc Bartra. Adriano if fit, might be preferred to Bartra because of his experience and more importantly because of his pace; something which Pique clearly lacks.

Lionel Messi holds his leg during the quarter-final against PSG at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on April 2, 2013. (Getty Images)

Even if Messi is not 100% fit, it might be a good idea to play him as defenders, often more than one, tend to focus on him, which can open space for others in case he decides to have a calm game due to the injury. Unless there is a high chance of a long-term injury, there is no risk in Messi missing out a couple of La Liga games with the league virtually in Barca’s hands.

“We hope he will be able to play. He is reacting well, but we will have to wait a while before we know how he feels and what the doctors’ tests say,” Jordi Roura told a press conference.

Alexis Sanchez scored a couple and created a couple of goals in the league game against low-lying Mallorca. Alexis should grab a starting berth because of the fitness of Pedro. The same might not be apply to Cesc Fabregas, who also gave a good account of himself in the Mallorca game by scoring a hat-trick and assisting two goals. The Xavi-Busquets-Iniesta trio is always the first choice but if Messi doesn’t start, Fabregas might take his position as the false nine on the pitch.

Expected Starting Line-up: Valdes – Alves, Pique, Adriano, Alba – Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta – Sanchez, Messi, Villa

The PSG Camp

Blaise Matuidi, who scored the last minute equaliser in Paris, is suspended for this tie after receiving his second yellow card in the tournament. His boundless energy which is needed to chase down Xavi and Iniesta and frustrate them will definitely be missed. The closest like-for-like replacement for Matuidi is Clement Chantome who offers a similar work rate in the midfield. But this is not only about restricting Barca. PSG have to score and Ancelotti needs goals. He can plan to score those with the help of a few counter-attacks or surprise everyone by going with an all-out attack.

Ancelotti went for a 4-4-2 system in the first leg, which wass sensible given Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s physical presence upfront. Ibra can win the long balls and nod them into the path of Ezequiel Lavezzi, who was playing off of him. Lucas Moura troubled Barca a lot in the first leg, so he will definitely start. David Beckham is also a definite starter, but he will only be expected to distribute the ball from a deep position where no one will haggle him. Therefore, mobility is expected from the rest of the midfielders.

Javier Pastore was perhaps the flop of the match in the first leg as he could not stamp his presence on the match in any way. A fit Thiago Motta or Jeremy Menez may take his place. If it is more pace Ancelotti wants, Menez will be the choice. Motta offers the experience of being there on the big stage and also having done it with Inter when they eliminated Barca in the Champions League 3 years ago, but he is not fully fit.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of PSG celebrates his goal during the Champions League quarter-final first leg between against FC Barcelona, at the Parc des Princes on April 2, 2013 in Paris France. (Getty Images)

Thiago Silva, who has had a slight knee problem, has declared himself fit. Without Silva, PSG might as well surrender the tie; such was his first-leg performance. According to Ancelotti, Alex has also been working with the squad for the last three days and is available.

Expected Starting Line-up: Sirigu – Jallet, Silva, Alex, Maxwell – Moura, Beckham, Chantome, Menez – Lavezzi, Ibrahimovic

Key Battle: Ibra vs. Pique

Although Ibra was not at his best in the first leg, he still managed to score from an offside position and create the equaliser by outmuscling his opponents. At his best, he can single-handedly destroy oppositions. However, even when he is not at his best, all he has to do is jump up and make his presence count for others to work around him. In a way, he is as central to PSG as Messi is to Barca. Pique will have his job cut out, especially without his regular partners at the back. How well he does that, may well determine their fate in the Champions League.