Champions league previews: Barcelona vs PSG and Dortmund vs Atletico Madrid

Four teams with blistering attack, combative defence, goalscoring prowess, game changers, top creators, possessive gems, robust tacklers, engine rooms and elite managers are set to square off in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday. 

With Atletico Madrid and Barcelona holding a slim one-goal lead after recording 2-1 and 3-2 victories respectively, the second leg of their clashes are primed to be pulsating and tightly contested.

Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund possess enough quality to upturn their first-leg losses and this could be the case when the second-leg clashes begin by 8 PM on Tuesday.

Here’s a preview of the games:

Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain

In what could be his last season with Barcelona, Xavi Hernandez is looking to finish on a high and is already recording an impressive streak of results in the past 13 matches where they have not lost a game.

One of the memorable games in that streak of matches was the 3:2 win over PSG at the Parc des Princes where Raphinha and Pau Cubarsi stole the show at the French capital.

While the Brazilian opened and levelled the scoring, the young centre-back became a penitentiary to Kylian Mbappe, completely nullifying the Frenchman from making any threats.

The Blaugrana will now look to extend their Champions League stint this season to the semifinals after being knocked out of the competition at the group stages in the past two seasons.

While Luis Enrique’s side possesses enough quality to control and mount surging attacks, their defence remain questionable and could be their archilles hill on Tuesday if a formula is not found to stop Barcelona’s prolific attack.

Club captain, Mbappe had a poor showing at the French capital when these two sides met, but will look to rediscover his form when he returns to Spain for the second time in this Champions League campaign.

The 25-year-old netted a hat-trick the last time these two sides clashed in Spain as the 11-time French Champions went on to reach the semi-finals of the competition.

A spirited second-half performance saw the Ligue 1 giants take the lead after going behind in the second half. Ousmane Dembélé levelled the scoring against his former club in just his second goal of the season before Vitinha put the hosts ahead in the 50th minute.

Their mismanagement of various aspects of the game ultimately costs them as Raphinha levelled proceedings before Andreas Christensen secured victory for Barcelona in the 77th minute of the game.

While Xavi’s side played a 1:0 win against Cadiz, the French Champions have not featured in any domestic affair since the Champions League clash against Barca. They head into this game fresh and with more days of rest and are tipped to cause the five-time Champions League winners problems at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

Team news

Barcelona will be without the services of Gavi and Alejandro Balde who are facing lengthy injuries that could rule them out until next season.

Christensen who scored the winner in Paris will not feature in this match along with Sergi Roberto after both players picked up accumulative yellow cards that led to their one-match suspension.

João Cancelo, Iñigo Martínez and Robert Lewandowski did not feature in Barcelona’s last League game against Cadiz due to suspension but the trio are expected to feature in the team that will face PSG on Tuesday night.

Pedri can be deemed to be fully fit after recovering from a thigh injury to feature in the Blaugrana’s last two matches.

For the visitors, Enrique will be without Presnel Kimpembe, Layvin Kurzawa and goalkeeper, Sergio Rico due to respective lengthy injury concerns.

Right back, Nordi Mukiele will undergo an assessment to determine his availability for the trip to Spain after suffering a head injury.

On a positive note for the French side, Achraf Hakimi could return to the starting lineup after serving a suspension that ruled him out of the first-leg clash at Park des Princes.

Prediction

Barcelona will look to extend their 13-match unbeaten streak while PSG will also aim to extend their 13-match unbeaten record away from home.

The 3:2 win recorded in Paris was far from over and a goal galore could take precedence when these two sides meet on Tuesday.

We’re predicting a 2:2 draw. 

Borussia Dortmund vs Atletico Madrid

Dortmund will hope to turn around a 2:1 deficit when they host Atletico in the second-leg quarter-final clash at the Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday.

Despite recording 67% of possession, Edin Terzić’s side were far from impressive in the first leg of the clash as Atletico showcased superiority at the Wanda Metropolitano. A quick-fire start to the match saw Rodrigo De Paul open the scoring for the Rojiblancos in the fifth minute of the game before Samuel Lino extended the lead shortly before the end of the first half.

Diego Simeone’s side had the better chances and should have put the game beyond reach, but rued their chances. The introduction of Marco Reus and Julian Brandt spurred the Black and Yellows to life as they began to exert dominance in the game.

A resolute Atletico defence limited Dortmund to clear opportunities for most of the game until an 81st-minute strike from Sebastian Haller halved the deficit.

The eight-time German Champions will aim for their first qualification to the semi-finals since the 2012-13 season, but getting past a Rojiblancos side that qualified from the group stages unbeaten before knocking out Italian giants, Inter Milan is no mean feat.

Simeone’s men on the other hand will savour the chances of recording a third successive victory over Dortmund. Their elimination of Inter shows they’re capable of reaching the final of the competition having done so in twice in the last decade.

Both teams will enter this game on the back of domestic victories. Dortmund defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach 2:1 while Atletico came from a goal down to beat Girona 3:1.

This is expected to be a thrilling game so it’s no wonder the match is sold-out. However, fans can still buy Borussia Dortmund tickets from trusted online resellers such as Seatsnet.com.

Team news 

The Black and Yellows were without on-loan Manchester United winger, Jadon Sancho last weekend due to illness, but the 24-year-old is expected to return to the squad against Atletico.

Haller, who scored Dortmund’s only goal in the first-leg could miss the clash after being replaced in the win over Mönchengladbach with a knock.

Left-back, Ramy Bensebaini is out of contention with a knee injury.

For the visitors, Samuel Lino who scored Atletico’s second goal in the first-leg clash will miss the trip to Germany due to suspension.

Memphis Depay is nursing a muscular problem and will sit out this game alongside Thomas Lemar and Marcos Paulo.

Saul Niguez will need a late fitness test to determine his availability for the match after being taken off in the win over Girona last weekend.

On a positive note, Mario Hermoso will be in contention for a starting berth after returning to the team in the victory over Girona last Saturday.

Prediction

Terzić’s side have proven that they are no minnows in this competition as they’ve expertly tussled their way into the quarterfinals.

They are tipped to put up a dominant display, especially in front of the Yellow Wall.

However, getting past Simeone’s resolute defence is no mean feat. Atletico who possesses more experienced players could concede possession to the German side but will ultimately secure qualification to the next round.

We’re predicting a 1:0 win for Atletico.