Three talking points ahead of PSG vs Barcelona | UEFA Champions League

Three talking points ahead of PSG vs Barcelona | UEFA Champions League Amid all the riots in Paris and France, Barcelona and PSG are preparing to lock horns in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night in what will be the game of the league stage . The Catalans arrive in the game in better form – arguably the best form in Europe. They are unbeaten and have not dropped a point across all competitions this season, and look virtually unstoppable. If there is one team that can test them, however, it is Luis Enrique’s PSG, who have won the last two UEFA Champions League titles. The Parisians have had Barcelona’s number in recent seasons, and even beat them last season in the UCL league stage. This season’s face-off, however, is expected to be a much closer encounter. Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of PSG vs Barcelona. The test of fire Barcelona’s clash against PSG in the group stage of the Champions League, by far, marks the biggest event in their calendar in the opening stage of the ongoing season and will be their toughest test by some distance. Taking on the two-time UEFA Champions League winners and reigning holders in their own backyard, needless to say, presents a challenge that will help Hansi Flick and Co. judge where they stand when compared to Europe’s elite, and in that sense, will be a test of fire. So far this season, Barça have been flying and seemingly unstoppable across all competitions. They are yet to drop a point all season, and the PSG test marks a milestone that will either see that record broken, or the team head to a whole new level of confidence with yet another win. Barcelona’s biggest test so far. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) Given that it is just the group stage of the UCL, both teams can afford a defeat without any major repercussions on their path to the knockouts. It is, at this point, only a question of prestige, momentum and bragging rights. There is no doubt that Barcelona’s attack will shine through on the night, but what will be more important will be to keep PSG’s fiery attack at bay. After all, they will look to capitalize on the Catalans’ high line as they have done numerous times in the past. All eyes, in that sense, will be on how Flick’s troops line up and turn up on the night in Paris. A defensive crisis Just when it seemed like Barcelona were recovering a fully fit squad with the returns of Raphinha and Frenkie de Jong, the team suffered massive blows against Real Betis that left the defense crippled. Jules Kounde, Gerard Martin and Eric Garcia all finished the game with different injuries or discomforts, and in just one night, Barcelona’s defensive depth was cut in half. Heading into tomorrow’s clash, Kounde remains unavailable with a sprain in his leg, while Eric Garcia has been confirmed to be out for a month. Martin, meanwhile, has been included in the squad, but it remains to be seen if Flick starts him against PSG, especially with the Clasico coming up this weekend. Given the entire situation, the manager has big decisions to make in the defence, especially if Martin is unavailable. After all, not having Kounde or Garcia leaves the team without a right-back as well. Xavi Espart and Joao Cancelo are the two best-placed candidates to start as the full-backs, although it remains to be seen which player starts on which side of defence. Moreover, Flick has usually hesitated to start both attacking full-backs together, and it remains to be seen if he opts for that arrangement tomorrow. At centre-back, Pau Cubarsi is the only guaranteed starter, and all eyes will be on whether Martin is fit to start or not. If the Spaniard is unavailable, Rodri becomes an option to take over in central defence, although that will hit the team’s midfield stability significantly. Should Raphinha start? Back in action and ready to start. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images) Raphinha made his much-awaited return from injury in the team’s 5-2 win over Real Betis at the weekend, coming on late in the game after the result was decided. The player, in that sense, did not have a massive involvement, nor any major attacking chances on the night. Ahead of the PSG game, Flick has confirmed that the Brazilian is ready to start, but the bigger question is whether he should be in the starting XI. There is no doubt that the Brazilian is one of the team’s most important leaders on the pitch and that he will change the game against PSG if he plays from the very beginning. Yet, there is a sense of understanding that winning the weekend’s El Clasico is more important than the game against Luis Enrique’s side tomorrow, and that Raphinha should not start if he is still not at 100%. Flick has learnt from his past mistakes and knows better than to risk the captain when he is not at his best. The decision lies in his hands, and it is safe to say that he will make the right call when it comes to Raphinha’s participation from the get-go.