As we embark on the season’s last international break, it will be an opportunity for Barcelona to prepare for next month’s big game against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Catalans take on the French giants in the quarterfinal stage of the UEFA Champions League, with Barça gunning for a place in the last four.
While Barcelona are set to approach this game as underdogs, there is much excitement over their chances of staging an upset, especially given the way the team has played in recent weeks.
Lothar Matthaus backs PSG to advance
However, in a recent interaction, German footballing great Lothar Matthaus trashed Barcelona’s chances of beating PSG and advancing to the semifinals.
“I think that Paris is the candidate to qualify. They have been dreaming of the title for years and Mbappe wants to leave a memory of him in Paris,” Matthaus said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
Mbappe is indeed playing his last season at PSG, with Real Madrid knocking on his door. He is currently in negotiations with Los Blancos over a free transfer this coming summer.
But before Mbappe leaves PSG, he will have an opportunity to guide PSG to their first-ever Champions League title.
Adding to his assessment, Matthaus pointed out potential weak points of FC Barcelona, including Robert Lewandowski.
“On the other hand, Lewandowski is no longer shining in Barcelona as he was in Bayern. Coach Xavi is leaving and there is discomfort in Barça. All of these things affect the team,” he added.
Matthaus’ assessment, though, is flawed in many ways, as Lewandowski has been one of Barcelona’s top performers since the turn of the year.
Even Xavi has done well to guide Barcelona against top teams. His team, in fact, has a great record against historic rivals in La Liga and the club will look to maintain the form, as they take on the French champions next month.
