The Champions League will return from its winter hiatus Tuesday with a clash between two heavyweight rivals who have become more than a little familiar with each other in recent seasons. For the third time in five seasons, French champion Paris Saint-Germain will take on Spanish counterpart Barcelona in the competition’s knockout round when the two sides square off in the first leg of their last 16 tie in the French capital Tuesday.
History thus far has not been kind to the Parisians. PSG has come out on the losing end in both of the quarterfinal ties the two sides have contested – in 2015 and 2013. Indeed, its only win against the Catalans was in a home group game in Paris which ultimately had no impact on the final group standings.
But this time around, PSG will hope to have a secret weapon in the form of coach Unai Emery. The Spaniard replaced Laurent Blanc last summer after spending much of the past decade coaching in La Liga with Almería, Valencia and Sevilla.
“He has coached a lot of matches against Barcelona, notably with Sevilla,” PSG captain Thiago Silva said of Emery when speaking to PSG’s official website over the weekend. “I think he will be able to point out their weaknesses to us. With his mentality and knowledge of the game, I think we are better equipped than we have been in our recent matches against Barcelona.”
However, on closer inspection, Emery’s history provides little comfort for PSG. In 23 matches against Barcelona, Emery has mustered just one win and suffered 16 defeats, including, most recently, in the 2016 Copa del Rey final.
Unai Emery head coach of PSG speaks to the media during the Paris Saint-Germain press conference at the Emirates Stadium on Nov. 22, 2016 in London, England. Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
But Emery has proven himself a European expert, winning three straight Europa League titles at Sevilla. It is clearly that record that helped persuade PSG to bring him in as coach last summer as the club looks to reach the Champions League semifinals for the first time in 23 years.
Barcelona has been a regular in the last four, and beyond, in recent seasons. But it will be particularly eager to get back to the latter stages this season after a quarterfinal exit a year ago. Like PSG, Barcelona goes into the resumption of the Champions League sitting in second place in its domestic league and after a less-than-trouble-free season to date.
Still, Luis Enrique’s side enjoyed an ideal tune up for Tuesday’s first leg at the Parc des Princes having blasted Alaves 6-0 on Saturday in a preview of May’s Copa del Rey final. The win came at a cost, however. Right-back Aleix Vidal suffered a dislocated ankle in the match and is expected to spend five months on the sidelines.
Vidal joins Javier Mascherano on the sidelines, while PSG will be without the suspended former Barcelona midfielder Thiago Motta. Javier Pastore remains a fitness doubt.
Probable Lineups
PSG
Barcelona
Prediction: While he has locked in an unexpected battle for the French league title, Emery has yet to taste defeat in 19 home matches in charge of PSG. A higher level of coach than his predecessor, those could be PSG’s best chance yet to get the better of Barcelona, particularly given that the Catalans have looked unusually vulnerable this season. But to get the lead it requires traveling to the Camp Nou, PSG will have to be clinical in front of goal, something striker Edinson Cavani has often struggled with on the big stage.
Predicted Score: PSG 1-1 Barcelona
Kickoff Time: 2:45 p.m. EST
TV Channel: Fox Sports 1
Live Stream: Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer 2Go
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