FC Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez is counting on the experience of Uefa Champions League winners Robert Lewandowski and Ilkay Gundogan to tip the balance of tonight’s quarterfinal return leg encounter against Paris Saint Germain in his team’s favour. The five time winners carry a 3-2 lead from last week’s meeting at the Parc des Princes but are aware of the threat posed by PSG star Kylian Mbappe Lottin who was unusually off colour in Paris.
PSG coach Luis Enrique is a former Camp Nou supremo who in 2015 famously won a treble of La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey titles with Blaugrana. Despite the absence of previous ‘Big Ears’ winners in his ranks, Enrique has thrown down the gauntlet to his former employers by publicly stating his belief that the Parisian moneybags are in Catalonia to qualify for the semifinals.
Marco Andre ter Stegen and Pau Cubarsi are the only players who started Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Cadiz who are expected to start tonight’s rubber. Alejandro Balde and Pablo Martin Gavira ‘Gavi’ are the injury absentees while Sergio Roberto and Andreas Christensen, who scored the winner six days ago are suspended.
In tonight’s second quarterfinal tie, Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic is without striker Sebastian Haller who netted a consolation goal in last week’s 1-2 loss to Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano. Mat Hummels, Julian Ryerson, Niklas Fulkrug and Donyel Malen are among regulars expected to be restored to the starting line up after playing bit part roles in Dortmund’s 2-1 win at Gladbach.
The pick of matches takes place at Etihad Stadium tomorrow when reigning champions Manchester City take on record winners Real Madrid. Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens are heavily favoured to book a semifinal slot following last week’s 3-3 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu as they are unbeaten in 14 months with Rodrigo Cascante Hernandez ‘Rodri’ in the side.
The Spanish midfield metronome returns to the starting line up after being rested in City’s 5-1 evisceration of Luton Town on Saturday along with regulars Bernardo Silva, Nathan Ake and Phil Foden. Kyle Walker is to be detailed to deal with the pace of Real winger Vinicius Junior while Jeremy Doku is pushing to dislodge Jack Grealish from the first eleven after his starring role against the Hatters.
2006 losing finalists Arsenal attempt to bounce back from Sunday’s 0-2 Premier League setback at the hands of Aston Villa when they confront six time winners Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. England captain Harry Kane, a regular tormentor of the Gunners after plundering 15 career goals against the Londoners, will be the Bavarians biggest threat as they try to build on last week’s 2-2 draw at Emirates Stadium.
TODAY
Borussia Dortmund v Atletico Madrid,
Barcelona v Paris Saint Germain
WEDNESDAY
Manchester City v Real Madrid,
Bayern Munich v Arsenal
