French giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will travel to Barcelona on Wednesday as they take on Barcelona in their second leg of their Round-of-16 clash of the UEFA Champions League at the Camp Nou.
Unai Emery’s side absolutely trounced the Catalans in the first leg of the tie, beating them 4-0, thanks to some scintillating performances by the likes of Angel Di Maria and Edinson Cavani. And they will look to heap more misery on Barcelona and dump them out of the competition, with another impressive display at the Camp Nou.
PSG will be without the influential figure of Thiago Motta in the midfield, while there remain doubts over Adrien Rabiot’s availability. Di Maria was out due to injury over the past week, but is expected to be fit and ready to go for the all-important clash. Here is how we expect PSG to take the field against the Blaugrana:
Predicted PSG Line-Up vs Barcelona
Kevin Trapp (GK)
The German started the previous leg between the two sides and kept a clean sheet. Should feature between the sticks for PSG on Wednesday night.
Thomas Meunier (RB)
The Belgian had a field day against Barcelona last time around. But will have his task cut out on Wednesday with Neymar in hot form.
Thiago Silva (CB)
The captain is fit again and will be high on confidence, having seen out a clean sheet over the weekend. Should start in the centre of the backline.
Marquinhos (CB)
Alongside Silva it will be his compatriot Marquinhos at the heart of the defence. The Brazilian sat out of the weekend clash against Nancy, but could come in for Presnel Kimpembe.
Laywin Kurzawa (LB)
At left-back it will be the ever so impressive Laywin Kurzawa. The Frenchman has been brilliant for PSG this season and should rightly start ahead of Maxwell.
Gregorz Krychowiak (DM)
With a shroud over the fitness of Adrien Rabiot, and Thiago Motta being unavailable, it has provided a new lease of life for Krychowiak. Expect him to start on Wednesday against a familiar opponent.
Marco Verratti (CM)
The Italian has established himself as the mainstay in the middle of the park for PSG and should start for the Parisiens at the Camp Nou.
Blaise Matuidi (CM)
Partnering him will be Blaise Matuidi. The French international was rested for the weekend game against Nancy, but will most likely replace Javier Pastore in the starting line-up.
Julian Draxler (LW)
The January arrival has taken the French capital by storm, impressing heavily in his very brief spell. Will start out wide against Barcelona.
Angel Di Maria (RW)
On the opposite flank, it will be the incredible Angel Di Maria. The Argentine was instrumental for PSG in the last leg and having recovered from injury, should start on Wednesday.
Edinson Cavani (ST)
The Uruguayan is the undisputed star up front for PSG. Has found his mojo this season under Unai Emery and will look to keep on going.