Friday, 5 April 2013

PSG vs. FC Barcelona match preview - Lionel Messi to lead Barca to victory in ... - Crunchsports.com

Barcelona have been given a boost ahead of kick-off as Jordi Alba and Xavi have overcome hamstring strains and are available.

Goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who was suspended against Celta Vigo, is also available for the Catalans, who are set to have coach Tito Vilanova on the touchline in Paris.

Vilanova is working his way back into the job after two months in New York receiving cancer treatment and took training on Sunday before Barca flew to the French capital.

Barca are favourites to win the game and PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic - formerly a Barcelona player - admits the Ligue 1 big-spenders face a tough game.

"I think we will have to concentrate on our way of playing and the coach Carlo Ancelotti will choose the right tactics for this match against, without doubt, the best team in the world.''

The Spanish side lost at AC Milan in the last round of course and had to produce a historic comeback in the second-leg to make it to the quarter-finals.

This was a significant achievement of course and if needed, you wouldn't bet against Barcelona coming back from any situation on home soil, says FootballTips.com writer Thomas Rooney, who is predicting a win for Vilanova's men.

"There is no way they will want to go into the second-leg on the back of a defeat again," Rooney told Crunchsports.com.

"The Catalan giants know that they can beat anyone on their day though and Lionel Messi's influence will undoubtedly be crucial."

"The Argentina international has had another record breaking season of course and was the hero in the last round, scoring twice against AC Milan," he said.

"As for the home side, they will hope their solid defence is enough to keep Messi and co quiet. Then, if they are to have any chance of making it through, they need to be dangerous going forward themselves."

Via: [Soccer Live] SC Bastia - Stade Brestois

No comments:

Post a Comment