As we find ourselves... On the European scene, PSG has faced no other opponent more often than FC Barcelona.
In the quarter-finals on April 9 and 16, the two rivals will play their 6th double confrontation in 12 years, and the 5th by direct elimination - after 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2021. Not counting this quarter-final in 1995, having led in PSG's historic first semi-final.
A look back at previous episodes of PSG-Barcelona.
1995: Luis Fernandez stronger than Cruyff
(Quarter-final: Barcelona - PSG 1-1/PSG - Barcelona 2-1)
Led by Luis Fernandez, who succeeded Artur Jorge, the PSG of Lama, Roche, Raï, Ginola and Weah faces Barça version of Johan Cruyff.
Paris did well in the first leg, thanks to the equalizing goal from George Weah, Ballon d'Or that year (1-1, 57th).
The return match scenario is a treat.
Trailing 1-0 and virtually eliminated (Bakero, 49th), the heroic PSG reversed the situation at the end of the match thanks to Raï from a corner (1-1, 72nd) and a strike from Vincent Guérin (2-1, 83rd), which remained famous.
2013: PSG was almost there
(Quarter-final: PSG - Barcelona 2-2/Barcelona - PSG 1-1)
For its first quarter-final in 18 years, PSG managed to snatch a 2-2 draw at the Parc des Princes against Carlo Ancelotti's Barça.
Matuidi equalized at the last minute, the other Parisian scorer being Ibrahimovic (1-1, 79th).
On the Catalan side, Messi opened the scoring (0-1, 38th) and Xavi gave Barça the advantage from the penalty spot (1-2, 89th).
Unfortunately, this draw will not be enough at Camp Nou.
After a goal from Pastore (0-1, 50th), the Parisians were momentarily qualified, for 21 minutes, before Pedro, served by Messi, ruined the Parisian hopes (1-1, 71st).
2015: Too strong, the (future) European champion
(Quarter-final: PSG - Barcelona 1-3/Barcelona - PSG 2-0)
Ambitious but deprived of Zlatan and Verratti (suspended), as well as Thiago Silva Silva (injured), PSG quickly became disillusioned at the Parc des Princes, where they had nevertheless beaten the same Barça a few months earlier in the group stage.
Luis Suarez put David Luiz to death that evening and distinguished himself with a double.
On the return, PSG was no match and capitulated to Messi and his team, thanks to a double from Neymar.
That year, Barcelona would dispose of Bayern in the semi-final and beat Juve 3-1 in the final.
2017: The historic comeback
(Round of 16: PSG-Barcelona 4-0/Barcelona - PSG 6-1)
The story is known, but it is now history.
In a Park on fire in mid-February, PSG played an almost perfect match and humiliated the great Barça 4-0.
Zlatan has left Paris, Kylian has not yet arrived, but PSG capitalizes thanks to goals from Di Maria, author of a double, Draxler and Cavani.
In the return match three weeks later, a change of scenery and music.
Barça leads 2-0 at the break thanks to Luis Suarez and a csc from Kurzawa.
After the break, Messi scored the 3-0 goal from the penalty spot.
Paris prays, but the mass seems said when Cavani brings the score to 3-1 at the hour mark.
This is not the case... Neymar, who will become a Parisian a few months later, scores from a free kick (4-1) and from then on the game turns into the irrational.
Neymar does it again (90th+1) and Sergi Roberto crucifies Paris (6-1, 90th+5).
Never has a club won 4-0 in the first leg been eliminated on the return leg...
2021: Mbappé, a hat-trick at Camp Nou
(Round of 16: Barcelona-PSG 1-4/PSG-Barcelona 1-1).
Four years after the trauma of the comeback, PSG believes in him again, thanks to a Kylian Mbappé festival.
At the Parc des Princes, behind closed doors due to the Covid crisis, Messi opened the scoring in favor of the Blaugrana (who count Antoine Griezmann in his ranks), but the Bondynois responded without delay and scored a hat-trick.
Mbappé hat-trick 🆚 Barcelona 👀#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/HBzXq6wOHh
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 15, 2024
Moïse Kean completes the demonstration of a PSG, impeccable in all sectors.
No comeback in the return match, but a simple formality: Mbappé responding from the penalty spot to Messi's opener.