In the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final in France, Barcelona, five-time winners of the tournament, rallied from behind to secure a narrow advantage over Paris St-Germain.
Facing a daunting atmosphere in Paris, Xavi’s Barcelona initially seemed at risk of being overwhelmed by the fervent home crowd. However, the Barcelona manager’s astute use of substitutions proved pivotal in shifting the momentum in their favor.
Brazilian winger Raphinha opened the scoring for Barcelona, capitalizing on a loose ball to net his first Champions League goal after Gianluigi Donnarumma could only deflect a low cross.
PSG quickly responded after halftime, with Ousmane Dembele finding the net with a powerful shot into the top corner following a defensive error, and Vitinha finishing clinically from a right-sided delivery.
As PSG pressed for more goals, substitute Bradley Barcola struck the crossbar, intensifying the pressure on a Barcelona side competing in this stage of the competition for the first time since 2020.
The introduction of Spain midfielder Pedri proved influential, as his exquisite pass over the PSG defense was expertly volleyed home by Raphinha with the outside of his right foot.
Despite Dembele hitting the post for PSG and both teams pressing for goals, it was Barcelona substitute Andreas Christensen who secured the win, heading in a corner from close range after being left unmarked in the center of the goal.
The second leg is scheduled to take place in Spain on Tuesday, April 16th.
New-look Barcelona find a way
Leading up to the match, PSG manager Luis Enrique asserted that he executed the Barcelona style of play “better” than Xavi. While this may hold some truth, Xavi has implemented a distinct approach, and his team exhibited tremendous bravery in reversing the game’s momentum under significant pressure.
The squad presents a blend of experience, with stalwarts like Ilkay Gundogan and Robert Lewandowski contributing significantly. However, the inclusion of 17-year-old center-back Pau Cubarsi and 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal made them the youngest starters in a Champions League quarter-final.
Initially absorbing pressure, Barcelona demonstrated a willingness to play more direct and exploit spaces behind the PSG defense, resulting in their opening goal.
PSG mounted an impressive response early in the second half, posing a serious threat to seize control of the tie. However, Xavi’s astute substitutions proved decisive.
Pedri, managing a return from injury, displayed his class with a sublime assist for Raphinha’s goal, matched by the finish from the former Leeds player.
Barcelona consistently posed a threat from set-pieces, with Donnarumma appearing unusually unsettled. The Italian goalkeeper remained rooted to his line for Christensen’s winning goal as PSG suffered only their eighth home defeat in 74 European ties.
Although far from decided, Barcelona, who have advanced from this stage only once in their last five attempts, must navigate the remainder of the tie without Christensen and captain Sergi Roberto, both receiving bookings in Paris.