Paris and Barcelona meet in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday 10 April.
Where to watch Paris vs Barcelona on TV
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partners here.
What should you know?
Paris and Barcelona meet in the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the fourth time with France boss Luis Enrique aiming to knock out the club that led to their most recent triumph in the competition in 2015. The Spanish side have won their last two meetings and also finished in style “La Remontada” when they overturned a 4-0 first-leg reverse in the 2016/17 round of 16.
Paris beat Barcelona in the last eight in 1994/95 and can also point to success in the clubs’ most recent knockout tie, 5-2 on aggregate in the 2020/21 round of 16. Their main protagonist in that success was Kylian Mbappé, who scored a hat-trick in the first leg at the Camp Nou, and the 25-year-old goes into this match in relentless goalscoring form.
Predicted lineups
Paris: Donnarumma? Zaïre-Emery, Marquinhos, Lucas Hernández, Mendes; Vitinha, Ugarte, Fabián Ruiz; Dembele, Bape, Barkola
Suspended: Hakimi
Loses next match if booked: Lucas Hernández, Škriniar, Ugarte, Dembélé
Barcelona: Ter Stegen? Koundé, Araújo, Cubarsí, João Cancelo; De Jong, Christensen, Gündoğan; Lamine, Lewandowski, Rafinha
Suspended: Na
Loses next match if booked: Christensen, De Jong, Ferran Torres, João Félix, Ronald Araújo, Sergi Roberto, Lamine
Form guide
Paris
Form (all competitions, most recent first): DWWWWD
The latest result: Paris 1-1 Clermont Foot, 04/06, French Ligue 1
Barcelona
Form (all competitions, most recent first): WWWWDW
The latest result: Barcelona 1-0 Las Palmas, 30/03, Spanish La Liga
Expert predictions
Alex Clementson, Paris journalist
After two dominant performances to beat Real Sociedad in the last 16 – performances that typified the growing maturity and tactical ingenuity of Luis Enrique’s side – Paris can approach the quarter-finals with an air of calm and quiet confidence. With Kylian Mbappé in hot form in the competition and former Barcelona star Ousmane Dembélé proving the perfect foil, the omens look promising for the Parisians. Hakimi’s suspension could upset the momentum, but expect the hosts to make use of home advantage.
Graham Hunter, Barcelona journalist
Good memories, bad memories. Barca will not go back to their historic 6-1 win against PSG in 2017 – likewise, they will not want to be reminded of the 4-0 first-leg loss in Paris, or Mbappe’s four goals against the Blaugrana in 2021. Plus points for Xavi: a remarkable return to form (unbeaten in 11), defensive solidity (no goals in last five Liga matches) and a debilitating injury list that is gradually dwindling. Andreas Christensen should be fit, Frenkie de Jong is close and there is a small chance Pedri could make the second leg.
What do the coaches say?
Luis Enrique, coach of Paris: “I think the group is in a good mental state. This is a good period for us. We don’t feel any pressure, more ambition. We are very excited about qualifying for the next round. I know [Barcelona] and the players very well, but I don’t know if that is an advantage. Emotionally, it’s a great experience, but I feel ready. It’s work: you have to be professional. I like Barca, but I think of my team above all.”
Xavi Hernandez, Barcelona coach: “I think the reason for tomorrow, after four years outside the quarter-finals, is excitement. We can dream and we are very motivated. We are enjoying our best form of the season and we will face a team ready to win the Champions League with one of the best coaches in Luis Enrique. I have all the respect in the world for them.”
Where is the 2024 Champions League final?
The best of the best will be crowned on the ultimate stage when the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League season concludes at London’s famous Wembley Stadium on Saturday 1 June.