Johan Cruyff, European final and the remontada, PSG-Barça in five defining ties | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, Barcelona are Paris Saint-Germain’s most frequent European opponents, with 16 meetings, 13 since QSI, and a level record, six wins each, four draws and 29 goals apiece. Friday’s last-16 draw could pair them again.

The rivalry began in 1995, then still the European Champion Clubs’ Cup. After a 1-1 first leg, PSG came from behind as Rai headed on 73 and Vincent Guérin struck from 25 metres on 83 to win 2-1.

In 1997 at De Kuip, Barcelona beat holders PSG 1-0 to win the Cup Winners’ Cup. Bobby Robson’s side prevailed when Bruno Ngotty conceded a penalty that a 20-year-old Ronaldo converted.

In 2013, Blaise Matuidi salvaged a 2-2 draw in Paris, then Javier Pastore scored on 50 minutes at Camp Nou with Lionel Messi initially on the bench. Messi’s entry helped Pedro level on 71 and PSG went out on away goals.

Unai Emery’s PSG produced a 4-0 first leg in 2017, with Angel Di Maria outstanding. Three weeks later came the 1-6, Neymar inspiring a late surge of three goals from 88, Sergi Roberto completing the remontada at 90+5 after Edinson Cavani had made it 1-3.

In 2021, six months after their 0-1 final loss to Bayern Munich, Mauricio Pochettino had replaced Thomas Tuchel and Neymar was injured. Kylian Mbappé hit a hat-trick in a 1-4 first-leg win behind closed doors, matching a Camp Nou Champions League feat managed previously only by Andreï Chevtchenko. He scored again in a 1-1 return as Paris advanced.

Source: L'Équipe