Barcelona vs. PSG, Bayern Munich vs. Porto: Previewing Wednesday's UCL Quarterfinal Match-ups
The Champions League resumes on Wednesday with two major match-ups.
Barcelona gets things started with Paris-Saint Germain on the road in a game that is closer than any other tilt in this tournament. PSG took down Barcelona 3-2 at home in the group stage and will be looking to avenge its elimination in 2012-13 when away goals gave Barcelona the edge in a 3-3 aggregate score. Of course, the team lost 3-1 in the rematch in Catalonia, resulting in Barcelona taking control of the group and finishing in first place.
For Barcelona, the team will look to recover from a disappointing 2-2 draw against Sevilla in the Spanish League. The team held a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Lionel Messi and Neymar, but saw a second half collapse cost them points in the title race. Barcelona, which held a four-point lead on rival Real Madrid in the title race, now has a two-point lead and can no longer afford anymore slip-ups. At this point, a Barcelona draw coupled with a Madrid win would put Blaugrana into second place.
Messi enters this tie with eight goals and three assists, but he did not score a single tally in the two-legged match against Manchester City. He will surely be looking for blood.
Paris is coming off an emphatic win over Chelsea in the round of 16.
In the second match-up is a tilt between an upstart Porto side and the heavy favorites Bayern Munich. The Bavarian side is the clear favorite, but is enduring a number of major injuries to such players as Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger among others. The team will be relying heavily on young Thiago Alcantara to make the midfield go.
Predictions
Barcelona and PSG draw 1-1 while Porto stuns Munich with a 1-0 win.
The Games will be available for subscription screening on Fox Soccer 2 Go.