PSG vs Barcelona Preview 2nd Leg | 10th March 2021 | Parc des Princes | Neymar update

Mauricio Pochettino's PSG host Barcelona at the Parc des Princes in the UCL 2021 Round of 16, attempting to avert yet another 'La Remontada' like the one that happened in 2016-17.

Barcelona currently trails by three goals on aggregate after losing 1-4 at home to PSG in the 1st Leg. Unlike the 2016-17 season, Barcelona won't be playing on Camp Nou in the second leg. However, they are in a better position compared to how they were in 2016-17 in terms of the first-leg deficit. 

Barca are also playing away this time, meaning that even a 3-0 victory at the Parc des Princes would take them through. The Catalans will need to score at least 4 goals without a reply to have some hope of staying in the competition.

Can Barcelona do it again? Or Pochettino would successfully avoid PSG from bottling this time?

PSG vs Barcelona Head to Head Record:

The record is pretty tight with Barcelona edging the battle with one more win against PSG. 

The last two meetings between Barcelona and PSG have witnessed 12 goals being scored, and who knows how many the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi would add to this mind-boggling tally.

PSG and Barcelona Recent Form

Not just PSG but Mbappe's form has been soaring high too, with the Frenchman scoring a brace in PSG'S Coupe de France win against Brest.

However, Pochettino still made a point to remind his side that they still have to perform at their absolute best to outplay the Spanish giants. PSG's form at home wasn't great as they lost to Monaco in their last outing. Another setback could see PSG losing back-to-back home games for the first time since 2009.

The hosts are expected to be grounded, providing the visitors with enough respect despite their struggles this season. Barcelona recently elected their new president for the board and Joan Laporta would want the club to forget what's happened in the past.

Barcelona have been exceptional recently with four wins on the trot, firing ten goals and conceding none. PSG have lost just once in their last six games in all competitions, while their opponents have lost one and drawn one from their last six. 

PSG vs Barcelona Team News

A lot of speculations may have revolved around the Brazilian star man's return, it is confirmed that Neymar won't be a part of the game in the second leg of the UCL too. Moise Kean is down with the coronavirus, and Juan Bernat is sidelined due to an acl injury.

Angel Di Maria is expected to add more spice to the UCL game after he came off the bench post a long-term absentee from the action. 

For Barcelona, a UCL comeback won't be easy as Gerard Pique, Sergi Roberto who scored the winning goal at Camp Nou four years ago, and Ronald Araujo are all out of contention due to injuries.

Paris Saint-Germain Probable Playing XI

Navas; Florenzi, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Kurzawa; Gueye, Paredes; Di Maria, Verratti, Mbappe; Icardi

Barcelona Probable Playing XI

Ter Stegen; Mingueza, Lenglet, Umtiti; Dest, De Jong, Busquets, Alba; Pedri; Messi, Griezmann

PSG vs Barcelona Prediction

As much as Messi fans would dream of it, a comeback this time certainly seems out of question. With no Suarez, no Neymar, and very limited cohesiveness amongst the team, it would take a miracle to beat a quality Psg side led by Mauricio Pochettino's tactics and set up.

However, this is football and anything is possible. 

Sportco predicts PSG to go through to the quarter-finals of the UCL 2021.