Champions League: Can Barca Bounce Back Again?

Paris Saint-Germain vs Barcelona

Barcelona have a huge mountain to climb when they head to the Parc des Princes for a Champions League Round of 16 second leg tie against Paris Saint-Germain.

Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick as the Parisians dismantled Barcelona at the Camp Nou and Ronald Koeman’s team has a three-goal deficit to claw back, losing 4-1.

But the Catalans have done it before.

Back in 2017 the French champions somehow blew a 4-0 aggregate lead to Barcelona and head coach Mauricio Pochettino will be determined to avoid a repeat of history. So we should see two strong line-ups in Paris; the hosts will want to repeat, and hopefully better, their experience of reaching the 2020 final; while Barca will be keen to maintain some recently found momentum.

Talking Points

Neymar in line for PSG return

Paris fans have received a boost with the news that striker Neymar has returned to training and could feature in the clash with Barcelona. The Brazilian has six goals in the competition, all at the group stage, and he is joint third favourite along with Mbappe, at odds of 8.00, to finish top scorer in the competition. He’s been out of action since February 10^th when he picked up a groin strain during a 1-0 win over Caen, so he missed out on the first leg massacre.

Neymar could play some part against his former club and manager Pochettino is cautiously upbeat about his prospects, saying: “We are very happy with his development and will see in the days to come if he can be part of the squad against Barcelona.”

Champions League: Neymar could face his former team if he recovers in time — Neymar celebrates with Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe after a match in Ligue 1

The 29-year-old has had an injury-hit season but has still contributed 13 goals and 16 assists in 18 appearances in all competitions. And his potential return provides a boost to the French side as striker Moise Kean remains in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19.

PSG haven’t had it all their one way in Ligue 1 this term and are in a three-way battle with Lille and Lyon for top spot, but since the arrival of Pochettino as head coach, they have gathered momentum and are hot favourites to win the title.

And according to the latest Champions League 2021 Betting Odds Pochettino’s side is third-favourite at an odd of 5.50 to lift the European Crown, with only Manchester City and Bayern Munich ahead. And he’ll be particularly keen to see off the Blaugrana, as a former playing and coaching legend of their Catalan rivals Espanyol.

Barca back on song

When Barcelona crashed to the 1-4 first leg defeat commentators mused whether it might be the beginning of the end for beleaguered boss Ronald Koeman.

But since then the Blaugrana have fought their way back into La Liga contention and a draw in the Madrid Derby on Sunday left them second in the table, three points behind Atleti having played a game more. But Barca’s odds are dropping by the week having won their last three league games, and four in all competitions while scoring ten unanswered goals.

Lionel Messi made two assists in the Catalans’ 2-0 victory over Osasuna at the weekend, and we might find his team is in the mood for another fightback after they stunned Sevilla in the Copa del Rey semi-final, overturning a two-goal deficit to win 3-2.

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History

The first leg of this tie was one of the surprise Champions League 2021 results of the competition, certainly the biggest upset in the Round of 16.

But the memory of the events on March 08, 2017 at the Camp Nou may still haunt PSG fans. Their team went into the second leg with a four-goal lead and Edinson Cavani scored to make the aggregate score 5-3 to the Parisians deep into the game. But with two minutes remaining Neymar struck twice to level the scores and then Sergi Roberto scored a dramatic winner in the 95^th minute.

Barca have won five of the ten meetings between these two teams, with PSG winning three and there have been two draws.

Both clubs are in good form, Barca winning four on the bounce and, since losing 2-0 to Monaco two weeks ago, PSG have embarked on a three-match winning run.

Betting Tip

	Paris Saint-Germain vs Barcelona	Barcelona Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.38
	March 11, 04:00 (GMT+8)

The SBOTOP odds say PSG should qualify for the quarter-finals at a canter and they are favourites to win this second leg at 2.14, with the Blaugrana out at 2.77 and the draw at 3.73.

Barca have pride at stake, and they could well win some back if they can somehow keep Mbappe quiet.