SUMMARY
- Paris Saint-Germain will be without Achraf Hakimi and Nordi Mukiele against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League quarter final in France.
- Warren Zaire-Emery is expected to start as makeshift right-back for the Parisians.
Paris Saint-Germain have released their squad for the important quarter-final tussle against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. Some big names are missing from the team due to various reasons. The biggest miss for PSG will be Moroccan right-back Achraf Hakimi.
Fixtures on the first day of the Champions League were filled with exciting action and extraordinary goals. Real Madrid drew 3-3 in a goal-fest against Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu. On the other hand, Arsenal showed up at the Emirates and pulled off a strong 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich.
10 goals in the first two quarter-finals! ⚽️
The Champions League is back and it’s beautiful 😍 pic.twitter.com/413OPnudk7
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 9, 2024
The remaining two quarter-finals see PSG take on Barcelona at the Parc des Princes in Paris and Atletico Madrid host Borussia Dortmund at the Estadio Metropolitano.
The Parisian side recently released their squad list which notably omitted the names of Hakimi, Presnel Kimpembe, and Nordi Mukiele. French center-back Kimpembe has been out for months as he is nursing an Achilles injury. He is expected to miss the whole season.
❗️| Rival Watch: Achraf Hakimi, Presnel Kimpembe and Nordi Mukiele out of PSG squad for tonight’s game. Bradley Barcola returned from injury. #PSGBarça #UCL 🇫🇷
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) April 10, 2024
On the other hand, PSG has been left without a right-back for the all-important quarter-final. Hakimi received a yellow card in the second leg of their round of 16 clash against Real Sociedad which has rendered him suspended for one match. Mukiele, on the other hand, suffered a blow to the head in PSG’s latest league match against Clermont Foot 63. The French right-back will miss the match as a result of being unfit.
In positive news for Paris Saint-Germain, Bradley Barcola has been included in the squad. The left-winger is expected to start with his compatriots Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele up front.
Barcelona might miss the services of Frenkie De Jong and Pedri in midfield against Paris Saint-Germain
A strong squad has traveled the over 600-mile distance from Barcelona to Paris. However, the services of two important midfielders are still doubtful. Frenkie De Jong and Pedri have traveled with the squad without medical clearance, as revealed by the club. On the other hand, Gavi and Alejandre Balde are out of the of first-leg of the quarter-final tie.
✈️ The squad for #PSGBarça
Gavi will also join the team in Paris! 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/ZBv90j6sz8— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 9, 2024
Pedri has been nursing some muscle problems while Frenkie De Jong has an ankle problem. Latest reports from their training session suggest that the Dutch midfielder went through the full session without much discomfort. However, the Spaniard was not put through the complete session. De Jong likely plays a part in Paris but Pedri is expected to sit this one out.
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Barcelona could be a goal-fest in the making
Both teams have a fantastic set of attackers. Mbappe, Dembele, and Bracola will haunt the Catalans’ defense which is expected to consist of Joules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsí, and Joao Cancelo.
Meanwhile, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Robert Lewandowski are also expected to give a tough time to the Paris defense. Left-winger Raphinha is expected to be pegged against Warren Zaire-Emery, a makeshift right-back. The Brazilian will likely take full advantage of the mismatch.
🏆✨
Champions League day for our Parisians! ⚽️#PSGFCB | #UCL
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) April 10, 2024
The midfield battle between the two sides will be exceptionally important. Paris Saint-Germain will likely play Vitinha, Manuel Ugarte, and Fabián Ruiz. Each of these players has over 1600 minutes of soccer under their belt this season. The Uruguayan Ugarte is expected to hold the fort by placing himself in front of Marquinhos and Lucas Hernández.
Barcelona are a defensive force in the middle of the park. Andreas Christensen, Sergi Roberto, and Ilkay Gundogan will likely take the field in Paris if De Jong does not start. The only thing Barcelona will fear is PSG’s pace. If the Frenchmen are not allowed to easily run behind, Barcelona can register an unlikely away win.