Five reasons to believe Barcelona can comeback against Paris Saint-Germain
Neymar's form, a better Busquets and a new formation could help Barça produce a miracle
It was not any game. The hammering of Celta Vigo, as Luis Enrique said, was "possibly the best guide" to begin to believe in a comeback against PSG. Above all because Barça were the Barça we all know. A spectacular team capbale of attacking freely and scoring wonderful goals.
Here are the arguments for a comeback from four goals down against the French champions on Wednesday...
1. NEYMAR'S FORM
His best form since joining Barça? That's the question the fans are asking after his display against Celta. There have been similar moment, but rarely have they been coupled with such maturity.
The Brazilian has been the most in-form player on the team for several weeks. For a number of games he has been playing with spectacular confidence. The result, a player who shines one-on-one, constantly involved in attacks, but also contributing in defence.
But there's more: now he's started scoring goals. The finish against Celta was outrageour -- as was his free-kick against Sporting Gijon. If that continues until the end of the season, it can only be good new for the Catalan club.
2. BEST BUSQUETS, BEST BARÇA
Few players can be used to measure Barça's form as much as Busquets. If he's in form, Barça usually play well. If he's not at his top level, the team can have problems on a structural level.
Against Celta he was at his best, as was Ivan Rakitic and Barça appreciated it, as it always allows for more from the trident.
3. FORMATION SWITCH
There are few doubts that Barça will play 3-4-3 against PSG. Since the win at the Vicente Calderon, Luis Enrique has been tweaking the system to get the best from it. But until the game against Celta, we hadn't seen it at its very best.
One doubt is who will play on the right of midfield. Rakitic and Sergi Roberto have options to be in the team, while a defence of Umtiti, Pique and Mascherano is possible. Alba could be the player sacrififced. Iniesta will return to the side in midield.
"With this system we can have superiority in midfield, bring the ball out better, we can force rivals to focus on defending more. We're close to what we were locing for," Luis Enrique has said.
4. PUMPED UP LIONEL MESSI
You can tell. Something has been stirring in the Argentine for a few weeks. You only have to look at some of his recent goal celebrations. Messi is pumped up and that is the best news for Barcelona.
Barça need a small miracle against PSG which is where Messi, the King, comes into his own. Against Celta he was superb and the French side will know if he has one of those days on Wednesday, they will struggle at Camp Nou.
5. PSG ARE INCONSISTENT
5. PSG ARE INCONSISTENT Unai Emery's side once again showed they have weaknesses as they struggled past Nancy this weekend. It's true that they were not at full strength, but, also, they looked fragile in areas and gave away a number of chances to a side in a relegation battle.
PSG's performance in the first leg was way above what they usually produce in Ligue 1. On Wednesday they arrive with a huge advantage, but against a trident and a packed Camp Nou pushing for history to be made. If Barça make a fast start, we will have to see how PSG react.
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