Paris Saint-Germain welcomed Barcelona for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday.
The visitors took the lead after 18 minutes when Neymar found the bottom corner from inside the box.
PSG improved in the second half, but it was Barca that added a second through Luis Suarez after 67 minutes, before the Uruguay international made it 3-0 after 80 minutes.
PSG did have one back late on, however, when Gregory van der Wiel's strike was deflected in by Jeremy Mathieu.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from Paris as the French champions Paris Saint-Germain welcome Barcelona for the first leg of their quarter-final. These two sides have played out some epic ties in recent seasons, let's hope for another one in France tonight!
Kickoff is still little under 90 minutes away, but be sure to remain with me throughout the night and you will not miss a moment. The atmosphere is already building around the stadium and you just get the feeling that PSG fancy their chances of going all the way this season. There is no doubt that they have made progress over the last couple of campaigns. That said, it is a big ask against Barcelona.
The official team news is expected to arrive in around 30 minutes, but PSG will definitely be without leading scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic and key midfielder Marco Verratti, who are both suspended this evening. David Luiz and Thiago Motta, meanwhile, are both injury doubts. Barcelona, however, have a full complement of players aside from Dani Alves, who will sit this one out through suspension.
This will be the third Champions League quarter-final between these two sides. PSG progressed in the 1994-95 season, but Barcelona advanced in the 2012-13 campaign. PSG were a tough unfortunate two seasons ago and they showed their class when the pair met in the group stages this season.
It was PSG that recorded a 3-2 win over Barcelona in their first group match in Paris, but Barca ensured that they topped Group F with a 3-1 home victory at the Camp Nou. That win for the Catalan outfit was just their second success in seven games against PSG, however, with their only other victory occurring in the final of the 1997 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. Barca's record against PSG is not that impressive.
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Each of the last six Champions League clashes between these two sides have seen both teams find the back of the net, which suggests that we will indeed get goals this evening. The importance of the away goal, or goals, is often discussed and Barca will be just desperate to score at least once in Paris.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! Neither David Luiz nor Thiago Motta start for PSG, but there is a spot in midfield for Yohan Cabaye. For Barcelona, Javier Mascherano returns at centre-back alongside Gerard Pique, while Ivan Rakitic is also given a spot in midfield. Full lineups will follow shortly...
TEAMS:
PSG: Sirigu; Van der Wiel, Marquinhos, Silva, Maxwell; Rabiot, Cabaye, Matuidi; Lavezzi, Cavani, Pastore
BARCA: Ter Stegen, Montoya, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
So there we have it. As mentioned, PSG are without both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco Verratti this evening through suspension, while David Luiz and Thiago Motta both miss out through injury. That means that there are starts for Marquinhos, Adrien Rabiot, Yohan Cabaye and Ezequiel Lavezzi. There is plenty of experience in the XI, however, with Thiago Silva and Maxwell both in the back four.
Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, meanwhile, has recalled Javier Mascherano at centre-back, with Jeremy Mathieu dropping to the bench. Dani Alves is suspended, which has opened up a spot at right-back for Martin Montoya. The rest of the XI picks itself, with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez all starting.
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If both teams had their strongest XI out there this evening, it would be a very difficult game to call. That is still the case, but Barca have all their big guns available and PSG do not. Advantage Barca already?
This is the 18th time that Barcelona will play in the quarter-finals of the European Cup and they have progressed nine times – including in seven of the last eight seasons. Last season, they missed out on a seventh semi-final in a row after losing 2-1 on aggregate to Spanish rivals Atletico Madrid.
PSG, meanwhile, are looking to secure a last-four spot in the competition for just the second time in their history. The French outfit have lost in the quarter-finals in each of the last two seasons – Barcelona and Chelsea – but they have already shown that they can match the Catalan outfit this season.
PSG are actually unbeaten in 33 European home games – winning 22 times in the process. That run of excellent form goes back to the group stages of the 2006 UEFA Cup, when they were beaten 4-2 by Hapoel Tel-Aviv. However, it would be fair to say that plenty has changed at the club since then!
This season, meanwhile, PSG won all three of their home group games, before drawing 1-1 with Chelsea in the round of 16 in Paris. That draw with the Blues certainly made them underdogs in the second leg, but they progressed on away goals after drawing 2-2 in extra-time. Ibrahimovic was sent off early on for the visitors, but they showed extreme heart to overcome much-fancied Chelsea.
PSG's home record against Spanish opposition is also strong – winning six of their 11 matches and losing just once. That solitary defeat occurred in the second group stage of the 2000-01 Champions League, when Deportivo La Coruna recorded a 3-1 victory in the French capital. Memories!
Barcelona, meanwhile, have won five of their last nine away games in the Champions League. As mentioned, they topped Group F ahead of PSG, which paired the Spanish club with Manchester City in the round of 16. Barca won 2-1 in Manchester, before recording a 1-0 victory in the second leg. On paper, it sounds close, but City goalkeeper Joe Hart had a quite stunning game in the Camp Nou.
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Barcelona's away record to French opposition is fairly mixed, meanwhile, winning three, drawing three and losing three of their nine games. They have not won on their last four visits to France, but three of those matches have ended in draws, which would be a positive result in this particular format.
Indeed, Barcelona have not won in France since the first group stage of the 2001-02 Champions League, when they beat Lyon 3-2. Many have Barca as the favourites to record a first-leg win this evening, but the facts suggest that it will be extremely difficult for Luis Enrique's side in this one.
PSG secured their fifth Coupe de la Ligue title when they beat Bastia 4-0 at the weekend, while the French outfit have risen to the top of Ligue 1 in recent weeks. As it stands, Laurent Blanc's side are one point clear of second-place Lyon and four clear of third-place Monaco. In fact, there are just six points separating the top five teams in France's top flight. PSG are far from comfortable at this stage.
PSG lost 3-2 at Bordeaux on March 15, but they have won each of their four games since then – two of which have been in cup competitions. They are in good form and will contest the final of the Coupe de France against Auxerre next month. Blanc could yet deliver four trophies for the French outfit.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have won 30 of their last 34 games in all competitions, but their nine-game winning streak came to an end at the weekend when they were held to a 2-2 draw at Sevilla. They are still in a healthy position in La Liga, however, sitting two points clear of second-place Real Madrid.
Like PSG, Barcelona will also play a cup final next month when they meet Athletic Bilbao in the conclusion of the Copa del Rey. That particularly trophy is currently third on their list of priorities this season, but Enrique has the chance to deliver a treble during his first season in charge of the club.
In total, Barcelona have only been beaten twice since the turn of the year, with Real Sociedad and Malaga both recording victories in the league. It has been an impressive campaign for the Catalan outfit, but a two-legged clash against this PSG team will be a real test of their credentials.
Little under 15 minutes until kickoff this evening and the atmosphere inside the stadium is just sensational. We have some of the best players in world football on display tonight, that is for certain.
TEAMS:
PSG: Sirigu; Van der Wiel, Marquinhos, Silva, Maxwell; Rabiot, Cabaye, Matuidi; Lavezzi, Cavani, Pastore
BARCA: Ter Stegen, Montoya, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
PREDICTION! On paper, Barcelona are the favourites, but they do not have a particularly good record against PSG, while the hosts are so strong in this stadium. I expect Barca to dominate the ball for long spells, but I think that PSG have enough about them to draw. Score: PSG 1-1 Barcelona.
Here we go then. Both sets of players are in the tunnel and will soon join us on the field. It is another massive game in the Champions League - let's hope that the football matches all the pre-game hype!
Plenty of handshakes and hugs in the tunnel - very emotional indeed, but it is just about time for the football. The Champions League is back with us and thank the lord for that. Kickoff is imminent.
It is a beautiful evening in Paris, while the pitch is just perfect. The scene is set for a wonderful evening of football. PSG, in their home blue strip, get the first 45 minutes of action underway here.
As expected, Barcelona have taken control of the possession in the opening moments here, with Messi already combining with Iniesta in the final third. PSG will attempt to threaten on the counter tonight.
Barcelona are making most of the early ground here, with Montoya combining with Messi and almost breaking to the edge of the PSG box. The home side do manage to ease the pressure with Matuidi shows his pace and power, but they are eventually forced back. Tentative opening four minutes.
Alba goes down inside the PSG box under pressure from Alves, but the referee is not interested. Tonight's official is Mark Clattenburg, who referred Sunday's Manchester derby in the Premier League.
It has been a fairly slow start to proceedings here, with neither team creating anything of note in the final third. PSG are nice and solid at the back and it is up to Barcelona to break through the final line of defence. You just get the feeling that PSG will want to get through the opening 20 minutes or so.
CHANCE! Wonderful football from the home side as Maxwell sets up Matuidi, who delivers into Pastore, but the Argentine cannot make proper contact. Real let-off for Barcelona there!
PSG have just started to make their mark in terms of possession, while Matuidi is seeing more and more of the ball in the middle of the park. Not too much attacking-wise for the visitors thus far tonight.
Bayern Munich are already 2-0 down in Porto in tonight's other Champions League quarter-final first leg - some story developing there! Back in Paris, Barca continue to pass and probe in the final third.
POST! Barcelona come close to taking the lead as Suarez sets up Messi on the edge of the box, but the Argentine's effort hits the outside of the post. Wonderful curling strike from the attacker!
Well, 16 minutes on the clock and both sides have had chances to make the breakthrough. Barca are in control of the possession, but PSG are dangerous when they break forward. A long ball from the back threatens to cause the home side some problems, but goalkeeper Sirigu is out to clear the danger.
Half-chance for Barca as Neymar meets a bouncing ball inside the PSG box, but his effort was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. Barca are starting to look really threatening in attack here.
GOAL! PSG 0-1 Barcelona (Neymar)
Barcelona make the breakthrough with 18 minutes on the clock as Messi sets up Neymar, who finishes excellently into the bottom corner. Messi was onto a loose PSG pass in a flash and Neymar was never going to miss from that position. It is a massive, massive game in the context of this fixture.
Wow - Silva has just walked off the pitch for PSG. Another injury! Matuidi is filling in...
SUB! PSG make the change as David Luiz replaces Silva.
Luiz is NOT fully fit. He picked up a hamstring problem just 10 days ago, but has returned from the bench. Barcelona are threatening to run away with the game as they continue to pass and probe here.
PSG have just managed to enjoy a period of possession in the last couple of moments, but they are struggling to make their mark in the final third. It is Barcelona that are fully in control in Paris.
There is not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, which is a direct result of Barcelona's domination of the ball. PSG just look unable to cope as Neymar again dances into the box, but this time, the Brazilian's effort is saved by the goalkeeper. PSG need to change their approach.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Matuidi races down the left before feeding Lavezzi, who cuts inside Alba and finds Cavani all alone outside the Barca box, but the striker's touch is too strong and Mascherano is back to make the challenge. What an opportunity for the hosts!
Mascherano seems to have picked up an injury during that challenge on Cavani.
Mascherano will continue, but he does not look too comfortable at the moment. The opening 31 minutes of this match have just flown past and Barcelona have had the best of it thus far tonight.
BOOKING! Pique (Barcelona) is booked for bringing Matuidi to the ground.
Pastore delivers the resulting free kick, but Cavani was offside when he made contact.
You just get the feeling that PSG need to score the next goal tonight if they are to stay in the quarter-final. There is still a long way to go, but two away goals for Barcelona would make it very difficult for PSG to respond. The hosts really need their supporters to stay with them at this stage of the match.
Much better from the home side as Lavezzi delivers a super cross into Cavani, who flicks one towards the top corner, but Ter Stegen is on hand to make the save. More threat for PSG at the moment.
BOOKING! Cabaye (PSG) is booked for a poor challenge on Iniesta.
Iniesta looks to have a real problem here. The midfielder's ankle turned during that challenge from Cabaye and his involvement in this game is now in doubt. He does not look comfortable at all.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments as the challenges continue to fly in from PSG. Iniesta has returned and will continue, for now at least!
PSG make good ground down the left with Matuidi, but Barcelona manage to clear the danger on a couple of occasions. Can the home side find an equaliser in the latter stages of this first half?
Suarez takes the ball away from Luiz in a wide angle before attempting to beat Sirigu, but the PSG goalkeeper makes the save. Poor moment from the Brazilian centre-back, but he got away with it.
Sirigu now has a problem for the home side as he holds his shoulder. Injuries everywhere!
Much better from PSG as they find space in a wide area with Van der Wiel, but the defender's cross is disappointing. Matuidi is down the other side moments later and wins yet another corner from Pique.
Cavani tries the spectacular after meeting a deep cross from Cabaye, but the striker was in an offside position. We are into the second minute of added time in Paris and Barcelona still lead 1-0 here.
HALF-TIME: PSG 0-1 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barca leading 1-0 courtesy of a smart finish from Neymar. PSG improved as the half developed, but have been unable to make the breakthrough, with Cavani and Pastore both passing up chances. It is advantage Barca at the break.
STATS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 62%, while they have had five attempts - three of which have been on target. PSG, meanwhile, have hit the target just once from their three attempts. There have also been two bookings in a half that has been feisty in certain stages.
BENCH WATCH! PSG have already been forced into one change this evening, with Luiz replacing Silva moments after Barca took the lead. The French outfit are missing a number of key players for various reasons, but Lucas Moura and Bahebeck are both available for Blanc. Barcelona, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Rafinha, Pedro and Xavi. Will either manager make any alterations at the break?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can PSG find a route back into this match? It is the visitors, in their lime green strip, that get the second half underway.
No changes from either manager at the break, which is not too surprising at this stage. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 1-0 for the next 15 or 20 minutes here.
Lavezzi does well to charge through the Barcelona midfield before finding Cavani, but the return pass towards the Argentine is not good enough. Pastore attempts to dance into the box moments later, but he is closed out at the vital moment. Much better intent from PSG in the last couple of minutes.
SAVE! Pastore almost catches out Ter Stegen with an attempt from the edge of the box, which does take a deflection, but the Barcelona goalkeeper manages to palm away from goal.
SAVE! Another good chance for the home side as Rabiot takes the ball away from Iniesta outside the box, but the midfielder's effort is straight at Ter Stegen. Much, much better from PSG.
Iniesta has gone down again and the midfielder does not look comfortable. Knee into the back.
Iniesta will play no further part this evening. The stretcher is out and Xavi is getting stripped.
SUB! The change is made as Xavi replaces Iniesta.
BOOKING! Messi (Barcelona) is booked for kicking out at Marquinhos.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, but as it stands, Barcelona will be very happy with the result. The onus is very much on PSG to come out and respond in this game.
Good covering from Cabaye as the PSG midfielder is back to clear a low cross from Neymar, which was aimed towards the edge of the box. The home side are roared forward by their supporters, but a number of fouls are just interrupting the flow at the moment. Little over 30 minutes remaining here.
PSG once again threaten on the counter attack, but once again it breaks down with Cavani, who plays a poor pass into Pastore and Barcelona manage to get numbers behind the ball. Opportunity there.
Not too many chances to speak of in the last few minutes, but both teams are threatening in the final third. You just get the feeling that Barcelona are happy to sit on this 1-0 lead and hope to score a second on the counter. PSG, on the other hand, are really starting to force the issue here.
Blanc does not have too many options on his bench this evening, but Lucas Moura is one player that should see some minutes. Barcelona enjoy a period of possession before Messi attempts to switch to Neymar, but the pass is too long. Still 1-0 with 63 minutes on the clock in this quarter-final.
Half-chance for the away side as Messi races away from the PSG midfield before feeding Neymar, but the Brazilian cannot deliver into Suarez and instead wins a corner. Barca on the prowl at the moment.
SUB! PSG make their second change as Lucas Moura replaces Rabiot.
GOAL! PSG 0-2 Barcelona (Suarez)
Barcelona score their second of the match as Suarez bundles his way through the PSG defence before digging out a finish. Sirigu made contact, but it still found the back of the net. Wonderful goal!
Is that tie over? PSG cannot go to the Camp Nou in this state. The tie is in Barca's hands here.
SAVE! Wonderful chance for PSG to respond as Cavani spins inside the box before firing towards goal, but Ter Stegen is across to make a wonderful save. Excellent goalkeeping!
You really do get the feeling that PSG need to score tonight, but Barca are looking good for a third at the moment as they continue to find space on the counter attack. Now, 3-0 would be tie over.
CHANCE! Wonderful work from Messi as the Argentine dances past a number of challengers on the edge of the PSG box, but his final effort is wide of the goal. Stunning footwork there.
SUB! Barca make their second change as Mathieu replaces Rakitic.
Half-chance for PSG as Matuidi finds space in a wide area, but his cross is cleared by Mathieu, who was being pressed by Cavani. Little under 15 minutes remaining and the visitors still lead 2-0 in Paris.
Almost an opportunity for the away side as Messi slides a beautiful pass towards Suarez, but Marquinhos is across to stop the forward. A third goal for the visitors really would finish this tie.
GOAL! PSG 0-3 Barcelona (Suarez)
Good grief. Barcelona have their third goal of the match as Suarez breezes past Luiz before finishing into the top corner. Terrible defending, but excellent finish from the striker. Tie over for me now.
SUB! Barca make their third change as Adriano replaces Montoya.
GOAL! PSG 1-3 Barcelona (Van der Wiel)
Now then! PSG are potentially back in this tie as Mathieu deflects a strike from Van der Wiel past his own goalkeeper! Another one for the home side would at least hand them some hope next week!
Barcelona are going in search of a fourth goal here as they pass and probe outside the box. You just get the feeling that there might be one more big chance in this game. It is a massive final five minutes.
Possession football from the away side as they pass and probe in forward areas. In tonight's other Champions League quarter-final first leg, Porto are leading Bayern Munich 3-1. Some score there!
There is not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium as we approach the final minutes of this game. That goal for PSG did raise their spirits, but Barca are still fully in control of this quarter-final.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for the home side to score a second as Cavani meets a loose Adriano challenge inside the box, but Mathieu is across to make a stunning block. What a challenge!
Barcelona force a free kick just outside the box as Pastore fells Messi...
... Messi takes the set piece, but his effort is pushed away by the PSG goalkeeper.
We are into the first of three added minutes in Paris.
Barcelona continue to pass and probe outside the box, but their sequence breaks down, which allows Lucas to drive forward. The Brazilian cannot evade two challenges though and the danger is cleared.
The home supporters are making their way towards the exit as we play out the final few seconds.
FULL-TIME: PSG 1-3 Barcelona
So there we have it. Barcelona will take a 3-1 lead into next week's Champions League quarter-final second leg following a strong performance in Paris. They are the overwhelming favourites to make yet another semi-final in this competition. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
