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Barcelona will welcome Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to Camp Nou on Tuesday for the first leg of their Round of 16 UEFA Champions League tie. This is arguably the most marquee tie of the knockout round.
With Barcelona not looking at their best in various competitions, the UEFA Champions League is their most realistic hope of silverware this season. The Blaugrana have not won the 'Big Ears' since 2015, though.
PSG, meanwhile, reached the Champions League final that season, but have not managed to win the competition despite their domestic dominance.
PSG, however, could be buoyed by their deep run in the competition last season, and may look to go all the way this time.
Barcelona vs PSG: 5 players to watch out for
Both Barcelona and PSG have had largely underwhelming campaigns this season, and find themselves in unfamiliar positions in their respective domestic tables.
Nevertheless, both teams boast a plethora of world-class players in their ranks who could make a difference in this fixture.
On that note, let us have a look at five players from either team to watch out for in this fixture:
#5 Francisco Trincao (Barcelona)
At first glance, it may seem odd to pinpoint a 21-year-old with just four UEFA Champions League starts as a player to watch out for.
However, the Portugal international has starred in the last few weeks for Barcelona, and has been one of their most in-form players.
After coming off the bench to score the winning goal in the Copa del Rey quarter-final against Real Betis, Trincao was handed his first league start last weekend; he rewarded his manager's faith with two well-taken goals.
The former Braga man was arguably the Man of the Match in the Blaugrana's 5-1 victory over Alaves. He could have had a hat-trick but for some fine goalkeeping by Alaves.
He has shown a penchant for accurate shooting from distance, and his fine recent form could see him make another Champions League start.
However, Trincao's relative lack of star power means that the limelight could be on his more illustrious Barcelona teammates on the night.
#4 Angel di Maria (PSG)
Angel di Maria has impressed since joining PSG in the summer of 2015. Despite turning 33 last week, the Argentina international is still capable of making a difference on the biggest of stages.
His goal returns have taken a dip this season, but he continues to be as creative as ever; Di Maria has provided 12 assists in 25 games in all competitions.
Di Maria's pace, delivery and dribbling ability means that he possesses an array of weapons to trouble Barcelona. The Blaugrana full-backs will have to perform at an optimum to keep the PSG number 11 at bay.
#3 Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona)
Antoine Griezmann is currently enjoying his best run of form in a Barcelona shirt; the Frenchman could be keen to continue his purple patch in continental competitions.
The France international provided two assists in the game against Alaves last weekend, although he was unlucky not to have got on the scoresheet himself.
Griezmann's improved finishing in recent weeks is a testament to his higher level of confidence in himself. The 29-year-old man possesses big-game pedigree, having led the line effectively for his previous club Atletico Madrid.
It is in games like these Barcelona would want Griezmann to make a mark. Considering his current form, the former Real Sociedad man could prove to be the difference-maker against PSG.
#2 Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Kylian Mbappe has had a relatively underwhelming campaign this term, going by his usual staggering standards. Nevertheless, the Frenchman has contributed 18 goals and nine assists from 28 games in all competitions.
He had earlier gone nine games without a goal in the UEFA Champions League before breaking his drought in the final group game against Istanbul Basakseshir. That strike saw him become the youngest player to score 20 goals in the competition, surpassing the previous mark set by Lionel Messi.
Neymar's absence through injury places extra responsibility on Mbappe's shoulders. But the France international is more than able to carry of carrying PSG's offensive burden on his shoulders.
His pace, change of pace, close control and finishing ability underlines him as the biggest threat to a fragile Barcelona defence.
#1 Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Big games require big names to step up, and as far as big names go, there is none more significant than Lionel Messi.
The Rosario native's reputation as a bonafide game-changer is beyond doubt, and he is coming into this game on the back of a five-star performance against Alaves.
Messi's displays on the continent in recent years have left a lot to be desired. However, the Argentine still retains a burning desire to end Barcelona's six-year Champions League drought.
Apart from his unmistakable goalscoring ability, the 33-year-old also possesses a knack for dropping deep to influence proceedings.
If Barcelona are to successfully navigate their way around PSG and progress to their quarter-final, they will need their inspirational captain at his mercurial best
