PSG vs Barcelona: 5 key factors that will decide the encounter

Barcelona travel to Paris for the second time this season to meet old Champions League foes PSG. The French league leaders are in good health after knocking out highly-fancied Chelsea thanks to Thiago Silva’s towering extra-time header.And they’re certainly not worried about their opponents own good form. In an interview after PSG’s French Cup Final victory, PSG midfielder Blaise Matuidi noted: “It's true that, right now, everything is good for PSG. We played to win and we played a very good match.“Bastia were a man down for much of the match, but we have done the right thing. This is our first big trophy this season. Now we have to try to get a second and maybe a third.“And it was important to win for the confidence so we can beat Barca."It promises to be another night of high drama, so let’s take a look at five key factors that could decide the match.

#1 No Ibra, Motta, Luiz or Verratti

Zlatan will miss PSG’s first leg clash with Barcelona through suspension

The loss of one major player for any side can often be enough to tip the balance in favour of the opponent. PSG find themselves lamenting the loss of four of their starters, all of whom have been in fine form this season.

Talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be sorely missed against his old club. Things never really worked for the Swede in Barcelona but he’s set about proving they made the wrong decision to let him go virtually every time he has played them since. The red card he received at Stamford Bridge could prove pivotal in the outcome of this two-legged affair.

Marco Verratti has been playing the best football of his career so far and his no-nonsense approach would’ve been crucial to upset the pretty patterns that Barca are sure to draw all over the midfield, but he too misses out through suspension.

At the back, David Luiz and Thiago Motta are both injured, and even if the latter was deemed fit enough, he would’ve missed this first leg, again through suspension.

It would be a huge surprise if PSG can still be competitive going into the second leg at Camp Nou. As Barca showed the last time they were at the Parc Des Princes, despite losing, they can pass you to death and hit you where it hurts whenever they choose.

Messi’s work of art goal was typical of their play on the night. If Barcelona play anywhere close to that again, and PSG will be reduced to onlookers.

#2 Home advantage is no advantage

Playing away from the Camp Nou won’t faze Barcelona. Of their last 11 fixtures on the road, they’ve won 10 and drawn just one, that being the game from this past weekend where Barca surrendered a two-goal lead at Sevilla.

The last time the Catalans failed to take anything from an away fixture was against Real Sociedad at the turn of the year in a game most notable for it being the turning point in Barca’s season.

Clearly PSG are going to have to be at their very best to stem the tide.

#3 Edinson Cavani the danger

With Ibrahimovic suspended, it gives Edinson Cavani the perfect opportunity to show everyone what he is about. The Uruguayan has made it known quite clearly that being played out wide in order to accommodate Zlatan isn’t something he signed up for. Now is his chance to prove he is good enough to be considered as the main “nine”.

Knowing the struggles that Barcelona routinely have dealing with high balls into the box, it’s a fairly safe bet that Laurent Blanc might dispense with his usual style of play and utilise the industrious nature of Cavani’s game.

The locals might not like “route one” but if it wins them the game, there won’t be too many complaints.

#4 Laurent Blanc to target the full-backs?

Jordi Alba was no match for Lucas Moura in the first meeting between the clubs in Paris.

In the first meeting between the sides, Laurent Blanc ensured that Jordi Alba was given a torrid time by Lucas Moura.

The Brazilian took Barca’s left-back back to school and as a result Alba’s industry down the left side was severely curtailed. Given that much of Barca’s style of play evolves from the marauding of both Alba and Dani Alves, it’s highly likely that Blanc will want to see a repeat.

Alves is missing from this one of course, leaving Luis Enrique with a selection headache. Does he hand the reins to Martin Montoya, or, as he did in the second meeting or look at placing Pedro Rodriguez in the role in a somewhat revolutionary departure from his regular position.

It worked handsomely at Camp Nou, so there’s every chance Lucho will try it again.

#5 Barcelona\'s strikeforce

At the beginning of the campaign, all of the talk centred around Real Madrid’s “BBC,” but as the season has progressed, Barcelona’s front trio of Messi, Neymar and Suarez have really come into their own.

Messi’s continued excellence is no surprise of course, and after a longer than usual settling in period that a four month sabbatical brings, Luis Suarez is beginning to show all the hallmarks of his Liverpool days.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is Neymar’s consistency and willingness to dovetail with his colleagues, rather than being the showman we know from his Santos days.

Such maturity was always going to be necessary in one of Europe’s top five leagues of course, but many have tried and failed to adapt their own game to Barcelona’s exquisite and demanding tastes. Just ask Zlatan.

All three players hit the mark during their last meeting. Would you bet against them doing so again?