PSG 2-3 Barcelona: What Were The Main Talking Points As Barca Claim A Crucial First-Leg Advantage In Paris?

In what was another Champions League thriller on Wednesday night, Barcelona secured a stellar first-leg advantage as they clinched a nail-biting 3-2 victory away ay French giants PSG.

With Brazilian international Raphinha silencing the home support in Paris after finding a way past Gianluigi Donnarumma late in the first-half, Xavi’s men entered the half-time break with a shock lead on foreign soil.

However, with ex-Barcelona superstar Ousmane Dembele dragging Wednesday’s hosts level just seconds after returning from the interval, PSG then completed a stunning quickfire turnaround as Vitinha powered home just moments after Dembele’s equaliser.

With Luis Enrique’s side missing a handful of clearcut opportunities after taking a thrilling lead, it was then time for his former employers to mount their own respective comeback here.

Watching Raphinha bag a wonderful brace midway through the first-half following a sublime Pedri assist, it was eventually ex-Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen who found the winner.

Heading home from close range after being left unmarked, the two European giants will meet for their second-leg showdown on Tuesday, April 16th.

On a night when Barca stormed their way to an iconic first-leg advantage in Paris, we have taken a look at the main talking points.

Barcelona make a heavyweight statement in Paris

While Barcelona might have already accepted that they will be relinquishing their La Liga crown this season, Wednesday’s guests have only continued to shine since opening the New Year.

Although Xavi might have already confirmed that he will be leaving Catalonia this summer, the Spanish icons have won won all of their previous five appearances across all competitions.

Heading into March’s international break with a stunning 3-0 romp away at fellow Champions League quarter-finalists Atletico Madrid, Barca are unbeaten in their last 12 consecutive outings – a purple patch that stems back to January 27th.

Now placing all of their eggs in the Champions League basket and with the mood around the Nou Camp at a red-hot high, Xavi’s men will also be excited to make a return to Catalonia next week.

Extending on their European adventure last month thanks to a second-leg 3-1 romp against Italian heavyweights Napoli, Barca have won their previous four showdowns at the Nou Camp by an aggregate score of 9-1.

PSG face another European backlash

While PSG might be cruising their way to yet another Ligue 1 crown this season, it is no secret that the French giants have a maiden Champions League crown at the top of their agenda.

Remarkably failing to get their hands on a first European crown since their bank-breaking takeover was completed back in 2011, Enrique will be more than aware that his future in Paris will be decided by PSG’s Champions League success this year.

With continued speculation that the former Barcelona boss will be replaced ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, Enrique faces a season-defining showdown when he returns to the Nou Camp next week.

Suffering a first competitive defeat since a 2-1 loss away at Italian giants AC Milan on November 7th, the 53-year-old will have a mounting headache over his side’s extended defensive struggles.

Shipping a trio of goals here and missing out on the chance to claim a crucial first-leg advantage on Wednesday night, PSG have recorded just three clean sheets from any of their previous 17 Champions League appearances.

Raphinha steals the show in Paris

Although Polish record-breaker Robert Lewandowski might have continued to spearhead Barcelona’s charge over the past couple of months, it was certainly Raphinha who stole centre stage on Wednesday night.

While there might have been continued speculation over the Brazilian’s future in Catalonia ahead of the summer transfer window, the former Leeds star certainly wrote himself into Barca folklore here.

Bagging the winner last weekend as Xavi’s men snatched a 1-0 victory at home against Las Palmas, the 27-year-old has quickly become a key part of Barca’s plans on either side of March’s international break.

Causing PSG’s defence a string of issues and producing a pair of clinical finishes in Paris, Raphinha has now found the net in consecutive appearances for the first time this season.

Recording his first Champions League goals here and receiving a string of praise from Xavi following Wednesday’s first-leg victory on foreign soil, Raphinha will certainly be looking to drag Barca to a semi-final ticket next week.

Match Report

PSG: Donnarumma, Marquinhos, Hernandez, Beraldo, Mendes, Lee, Vitinha, Ruiz, Dembele, Asensio, Mbappe

Subs: Barcola, Ramos, Zaire-Emery

Barcelona: ter Stegen, Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Cancelo, Gundogan, de Jong, Roberto, Gamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha

Subs: Christensen, Torres, Pedri, Lopez, Felix

Goals: PSG: Dembele (48’), Vitinha (51’) – Barcelona: Raphinha (37’, 62’), Christensen (77’)

Yellow Cards: PSG: Vitinha, Beraldo – Barcelona: Roberto, Christensen, Lopez, Cubarsi

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Anthony Taylor