Champions League preview: PSG geared up for Barca battle as they enter 'money time' and Bayern Munich face Porto
The quarter-finals continue tomorrow night
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Your support makes all the difference.Paris Saint-Germain may be missing their 104-goal striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic for their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Barcelona but their coach, Laurent Blanc, is brimming with confidence as the club home in on the “money time” of the season.
Blanc’s very colourful description of the time of year refers to the latter stages when trophies are dished out and winners’ cheques written.
And given PSG’s form over the past week – beating their Ligue 1 rivals Marseilles 3-2, thrashing St-Etienne 4-1 in the French Cup semi-finals, and winning the League Cup final 4-0 against Bastia on Saturday – Blanc is understandably buoyant, even with Ibrahimovic’s suspension.
“Do I feel a new momentum? It’s been the case for a while,” he said. “We worked physically [during the winter break] and today, in money time, we’re good,” said Blanc, who is also missing Marco Verratti through suspension and the injured David Luiz. “We are gaining momentum while last year at the same time we were on the way down.”
Barça’s Brazil right-back Dani Alves is suspended for Wednesday night's game, with Adriano or Martin Montoya likely to replace him in the starting line-up.
Barcelona’s defender Gerard Pique, however, is unfazed as he once again banks on their formidable attacking trio.
“I’ve never before seen a relationship like the one between Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi. We’re talking about three of the best players in the world,” he said.
Bayern Munich are also ravaged by injuries ahead of their quarter-final first leg at Porto, but Thomas Müller hopes their team spirit can get them through.
The Bavarians, chasing three titles this season, are without Arjen Robben, Franck Ribéry, Bastian Schweinsteiger and David Alaba among others for the quarter-final first leg in Portugal.
Porto (probable, 4-4-1-1): Fabiano; Alex Sandro, Maicon, Martins Indi, Danilo; Casemiro, Oliver Torres, Herrera, Brahimi; Aboubakar; Quaresma .
Bayern Munich (probable, 4-2-3-1): Neuer; Badstuber, Boateng, Dante, Rafinha; Bernat, Lahm; Alonso, Thiago, Muller; Lewandowski.
Referee C V Carballo (Sp). TV Sky Sports 5.
Paris Saint-Germain (probable, 4-4-3): Sirigu; Van der Weil, Marquinhos, Silva, Maxwell; Cabaye, Matuidi, Pastore; Lucas, Lavezzi, Cavani.
Barcelona (probable, 4-4-3): Ter Stegen; Montoya, Mascherano, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi.
Referee M Clattenburg (Eng). TV Sky Sports 1.
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