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The pick of the Champions League last 16 draw is five-time champions European champions Barcelona’s clash against Paris Saint-Germain, the side that reached the final last season only to fall to Bayern Munich.
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The pair have grown to be familiar rivals on the European scene over the course of the last 10 years, with eight matches played between the clubs since 2013, and the Calatans leading the head-to-head 4-2.
Arguably, though, this tie could be the most pivotal of all their previous encounters, with an immense amount riding on it for both Barcelona and PSG. Here are five reasons why this is a critical tie for both teams.
Barcelona's Remontada
The previous meeting between these sides came in 2017, when Barcelona were considered a fading force on the European scene but still bristled with the offensive talent of Neymar, Luis Suarez and, of course, Lionel Messi.
Those forecasting doom for the Camp Nou outfit seemed justified in their predictions as the first leg was dominated by PSG, who romped to a 4-0 win over their Catalan opponents.
No team had ever come back from such a deficit in the second leg of a Champions League match in the modern era, and even for this Barcelona side, it was considered to be far too great a task.
Neymar, though, had other ideas. The Brazilian, who moved to PSG for a world record €222 million a matter of months later, turned in one of the most inspired performances of his brilliant career to drag Barcelona to an incredible 6-1 win, which included three goals that arrived in the 88th minute or later.
While teams have subsequently recovered from such incredible deficits, this was the first time it had been achieved and was done in such a dramatic manner that it is destined to be an iconic game in the history of the club and the Champions League forever.
Defeat left an indelible scar on the psyche of PSG as a club, and the doubts that have sprung from conceding such a commanding position have plagued them in top European matches since. It was a wound only deepened by their elimination by Manchester United two years later.
Now, PSG have the opportunity to put those bad memories firmly to bed, which would allow them to move on as a club.
Barcelona's bid to retain Lionel Messi
It would be wrong to suggest this match is a battle for the future of Lionel Messi, but there is little doubt that the two-legged affair between Barcelona and PSG has the capacity to have a bearing on his long-term future.
PSG, of course, have done little to hide their desire to sign the six-time Ballon d’Or winner when his contract is up in the summer. Sporting director Leonardo has openly courted the attacker, while several players, including compatriot Angel Di Maria and, most notably, Neymar have spoken about how much they would love to team up with the Argentine.
Messi wants to play with a team capable of challenging for the very best honors, and Barcelona have yet to show this season they are capable of that – despite a recent improvement.
If Barca were to lose to a PSG side over two legs that could be without both Neymar and Di Maria, it would deal a blow against them in keeping hold of the Argentine superstar.
Victory for Ronald Koeman’s men, though, may help persuade him that Barcelona are still capable of challenging for top honors. If they do progress, though, it will be with the caveat that PSG played the first leg, at least without two of their most important players.
Barcelona’s reputation
Over the course of the last year, Barcelona's reputation has taken a battering. Since sacking Ernesto Valverde when they were at the top of La Liga, problems have only mounted for the club.
First came Quique Setien’s disastrous reign, during which the coronavirus pandemic rocked the club, then in the summer there was the revelation that Messi was doing his utmost to leave after a fallout with the board. Since then, they have been scrambling for credibility amid a mediocre start to their La Liga season that has allowed Atletico Madrid to open up a big lead at the top of the points table.
Although a run of improved results – seven wins in their last eight games – suggests that Barcelona are back on track, they have barely beaten any clubs of real standing in the game this season.
Sure, Andrea Pirlo’s Juventus were bested in the group stage in Turin, but that good work was eradicated by a lackluster 3-0 loss at home that also cost them top spot in the group.
In the league they have lost to Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, while they have failed to beat Sevilla in two meetings this season. That means they have not won against any of their top-four domestic rivals.
Eliminating PSG would give them a huge shot in the arm and would help their ailing reputation.
Money at stake for Barcelona and PSG
Barcelona’s financial problems have been well documented in recent weeks. At the end of January, the latest financial figures showed that the club is €1.2 billion in debt, with around €730m of that due in the short term and €266m due to be paid up to the bank by June 30.
“The financial situation at Barcelona is absolutely desperate,” journalist Guillem Balague told talkSPORT.
“It means they haven’t been able to pay the full wages of the players. They get paid in two statements, and the December/January one hasn’t been paid fully!
“Big, huge, decisions have to be taken for Barcelona to survive this.”
While such tough calls will be required whether or not Barcelona progress in Europe, a deep run in the Champions League would certainly improve the club's financial situation in the short term.
Not only is their television rights and prize money up for grabs, a run deep in Europe would further aid the marketability of the club to sponsors – something that has taken a blow in recent times.
Even for PSG, the coronavirus crisis has complicated their financial situation and a strong run in Europe would be a welcome boost to their coffers as they attempt to negotiate a Financial Fair Play minefield.
Kylian Mbappe and PSG’s project
Each time PSG take to the field in Europe, their very credibility appears on the line and it will be no different against Barcelona. Having spent so lavishly on Neymar and Mbappe, each elimination feels like a crossroads at which they could either begin a decline or come back with a renewed assault a year later.
With Neymar all but committing his future to PSG over a return to Barcelona or moving elsewhere by indicating his willingness to sign a new contract with the French club, there is perhaps not quite the urgency to open contract talks with Mbappe.
But with his contract expiring in 2022, the race is on for PSG to tie down the former Monaco attacker. Should they fail to do so before the summer, it likely means they will be forced to sell elsewhere, facing the prospect of losing one of the world’s greatest talents on a free transfer.
Real Madrid are waiting patiently in the wings with regards to the young World Cup winner, ready to pounce on any sign of weakness from the Parisians. Like Messi, Mbappe wants his club to show that they are still of a status at which they can hope to challenge for Champions League glory.
An elimination to the weakest Barcelona in well over a decade would be a sign that they are not at the standard he wishes. For that reason, PSG will feel they must win this tie against Barcelona.
