The draw for the knockout stages of the Champions League offers PSG a double shock against FC Barcelona (February 16 - March 9, 2021).
An opponent that Paris knows very well ...
A new classic
PSG and Barcelona spin a long opposition in European Cups.
The two clubs have already crossed paths in the 1990s with in particular a Cup final lost by the Parisians in 1997 (0-1).
But their recent history has turned into a real soap opera.
In 2013, PSG Ancelotti was eliminated, without losing, in the quarter-finals (2-2; 1-1) for his return to the Champions League.
Two years later, the two clubs meet again in the group stages.
Paris wins at home (3-2) then falls to the return (1-3).
They find themselves in the quarter-finals where the Catalans leave them no chance (1-3; 0-2).
In 2017, it is at the stage of the round of 16 that Paris and Barcelona face each other.
Large winner in the first leg at Parc des Princes (4-0), Paris is almost qualified at Camp Nou.
An illusion.
Beaten 6-1, Paris knows its worst European disillusion.
A drama that foreshadows an eventful summer with the recruitment of Neymar, their hangman of the remorada and then of Kylian Mbappé.
Two contenders for the throne of Messi that they will therefore find in February.
The comeback in the lead
It is the trauma of all Parisian supporters.
On March 8, 2017, after winning the first leg 4-0, PSG sank 6-1 at Camp Nou.
An unimaginable shipwreck with in particular a double from Neymar.
But in the past four years, everything has changed in both teams.
Difficult indeed to recognize the formation which had humiliated the PSG of Unai Emery at the Nou camp.
Iniesta and Mascherano have retired, Umtiti is subscribed to the infirmary, Rakitic and Suarez have left the club.
Rafinha and Neymar have changed sides and are two of the biggest threats in Paris for the shock of the end of winter.
Paris has also changed a lot in four seasons: Trapp, Thiago Silva, Meunier, Matuidi, Rabiot, Lucas and Cavani are no longer in Paris.
The opportunity for a new generation to erase the affront and write a new story.
Barcelona, the bad patch
It is always difficult to plan two months in advance on what will be a double confrontation with direct elimination but to look closely at Barcelona, difficult to say that Paris is not favorite.
The Catalan club is going through one of its worst contemporary periods and is in 8th place in La Liga, nine points behind Real Sociedad.
Leo Messi's summer departure desires seem to have totally disrupted a club where the former glories of the golden generation (Pique, Jordi Alba, Busquets) are struggling and the recent big recruits (Griezmann, Pjanic) not yet really convincing.
It is not even certain that Ronald Koeman, in office since this summer, is still on the bench while the election of the new presidency is scheduled for January 24.
