UCL: FC Barcelona Vs PSG - Preview, team news and expected lineups

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Barcelona, March 8: FC Barcelona host Paris Saint-Germain in a crucial second leg encounter in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) round of 16 clash at the Camp Nou Stadium.

All leagues special site; UCL special page; UCL: Schedule for game week 1, round of 16

The match looks a mere formality for either sides as PSG have a 4-0 lead on aggregate. The French giants had decimated Barcelona in the first leg on their home ground.

On February 15, Angel Di Maria heroics guided PSG to a historic win over arguably the most successful Champions League side in recent history.

It was a night to forget for Luis Enrique's who suffered sheer humiliation in France. It is virtually impossible for Catalan giants to come back and defeat PSG by a heavy margin of 5 goals.

Kickoff: 1:15 AM (IST)

Venue: Camp Nou Stadium, Barcelona

The match will be telecasted LIVE on TEN Networks

Team News

FC Barcelona's performance has changed a lot since the debacle in France 3 weeks. Manager Luis Enrique has publicly announced that he will leave the club at the end of this season.

Barcelona's performance has somewhat improved in the La Liga as they collected a couple of big wins and are now at the top of the table with a game more than Real Madrid.

Enrique has tweaked the formation of the club to bring in some major tactical changes. From 4-3-3, FC Barcelona appeared in a 3-4-3 formation against Celta Vigo last week.

The change yielded a positive result for the side as they registered a thumping 5-0 win.

Against PSG's 4-3-3 formation, 3-4-3 may prove to be a great remedy. PSG who procured the famous win over Barcelona by using a counter-attacking strategy. The 4-man midfield might just help the home side to stop the PSG attacks.

Barcelona will miss the services of Aleix Vidal and Jeremy Mathieu due to injuries.

PSG, on the other hand, have some injury concerns. Thiago Motta has been ruled out with a knock. Angel Di Maria who is regaining his fitness may play in the match. If he fails the last moment fitness test, Lucas Moura will replace him in the starting XI.

Predicted lineups

FC Barcelona (3-4-3): Marc-Andre Ter Stegen; Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba; Sergi Roberto, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic; Neymar, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi.

Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3): Kevin Trapp; Thomas Meunier, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Layvin Kurzawa; Marco Verratti, Adrien Rabiot, Blaise Matuidi; Julian Draxler, Edinson Cavani, Angel Di Maria.

Prediction

FC Barcelona 2-0 Paris Saint-Germain

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