October 20
A Match Everyone Is Waiting For
The highly anticipated encounter today between Barcelona and their hosts, Paris Saint-Germain, is more than just a clash between two European giants. It carries with it unforgettable memories—ranging from a historic night still etched in the minds of the Catalan club’s supporters to more recent years, during which the French side has asserted its dominance in their head-to-head meetings.
Ahead of the showdown at the Parc des Princes, Barcelona’s official website revisited key moments in the rivalry, recalling one of the club’s greatest Champions League comebacks—while also acknowledging the difficult reality that, in their most recent knockout encounters, it is Paris Saint-Germain that has come out on top.
The Unforgettable 6–1 Night
Barcelona revisited the historic clash against Paris Saint-Germain from the 2016–2017 season, when the Catalan side pulled off one of the most dramatic comebacks in Champions League history.
After losing the first leg 4–0, Barcelona turned the tie around in the return leg, securing a 6–1 victory. The match remains iconic, largely due to Sergi Roberto’s decisive last-minute goal—a strike that clinched qualification and ignited wild celebrations among the fans.
Yet, that extraordinary night did not prevent Paris from writing new chapters in the history of this rivalry, as the balance of power shifted in the years that followed. An Acknowledgment
Barcelona’s official website did not merely recall the famous *remontada* (comeback) night; it also noted that Paris Saint-Germain emerged victorious in the two knockout ties between the sides during the 2020–2021 and 2023–2024 seasons.
In the 2020–2021 season, Barcelona were eliminated by the French side in the Round of 16, following a 4–1 defeat in the first leg and a goalless draw in the return leg.
In the 2023–2024 season, the two teams clashed again in the quarter-finals. Barcelona won the first leg 3–2 in Paris, but subsequently lost the return leg 4–1, allowing the French side to advance to the semi-finals.
Their most recent encounter took place last season, when Paris Saint-Germain defeated Barcelona 2–1 at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium during the league phase—continuing the French side’s strong run of results against their Catalan rivals.
The Battle for the Top Spot and Barcelona’s Absences
This latest encounter comes at a time when both teams are closely matched in the Champions League league-phase standings. Each side has secured six points from their opening two matches; Paris Saint-Germain currently holds the top spot, edging ahead by a single goal scored, while both teams share an identical goal difference of seven.
Paris Saint-Germain secured a 6–1 victory over Slovan Bratislava, followed by a 4–2 win against Manchester City. Meanwhile, Barcelona defeated Feyenoord 5–1 and Galatasaray 4–1. However, the Catalan side suffered physical setbacks ahead of the match, with Jules Koundé and Eric García sustaining injuries against Real Betis—joining Andreas Christensen and Roony Bardghji on the list of absentees.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain will be without Nuno Mendes, as well as young goalkeeper Alessandro Longoni.
