Clash of the Stars in the Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain Showdown

A highly anticipated clash filled with stars will see Barcelona, the Spanish champions, host French title holders Paris Saint-Germain in Match week 2 of the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Barça will welcome their visitors to the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc, where PSG arrive carrying a major injury crisis. Their biggest absentee is talisman Ousmane Dembélé—recently crowned Ballon d’Or winner—who is sidelined with a thigh injury sustained on international duty with France. He is not expected back for several weeks.

The French champions will also be without young star Désiré Doué, who picked up a calf injury around the same time as Dembélé. In addition, captain Marquinhos and midfielder João Neves are unavailable, while Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been ruled out after coming off injured against Auxerre. Portuguese playmaker Vitinha remains a doubt.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have their own absentees, including Raphinha, Gavi, Fermín López, and Joan García.

The Catalan giants enter the clash on the back of five consecutive victories and remain unbeaten this season. 

PSG are also in strong continental form, having thrashed Europa League holders Atalanta 4-0 on Match week 1, while Barcelona edged Newcastle United 2-1.

This fixture rekindles memories of past dramatic encounters, most recently two seasons ago when PSG—coached by former Barça boss Luis Enrique overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit to storm into the next round with a 4-1 win at the Olympic Stadium.

Here are some key stats to help you predict the correct outcome and win valuable prizes with Betway:

• Barcelona and PSG will meet for the 16th time in European competition: Barça have won 6, PSG 5, with 4 draws.
• Since winning three straight Champions League games against PSG in 2014-15 under Luis Enrique, Barcelona have won only 2 of their last 6 against the French side (D1, L3).
• PSG have won their last two away matches against Barcelona—both 4-1 in the Champions League (February 2021 and April 2024). A third consecutive win would make them the first team to achieve that feat in European competition against Barça.
• Barcelona have lost just once in their last 12 home Champions League games (W9, D2). That defeat came against PSG (1-4 in April 2024).
• PSG have won their last 4 Champions League fixtures by an aggregate of 12-1, including back-to-back clean sheets (5-0 vs Inter, 4-0 vs Atalanta).
• Robert Lewandowski has scored just once in 5 Champions League matches against PSG, back in December 2017 with Bayern Munich.

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