Barcelona icon explains what went wrong against PSG – ‘If you want to win…’ | OneFootball

Barcelona’s 1-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League has sparked plenty of analysis, and former Blaugrana star Thierry Henry believes the difference came down to squad depth.

The Frenchman highlighted how PSG were able to rely on their bench, with substitute Goncalo Ramos stepping up to score the late winner.

Ramos entered the pitch in the 72nd minute, replacing Fabian Ruiz, and his impact was immediate.

Not only did he seal PSG’s victory, but his strike also made history. The Portuguese forward became the club’s all-time leading scorer coming off the bench, with 17 goals, surpassing former forward and current Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe.

Barcelona left short in attack

Henry, speaking on CBS (h/t MARCA), underlined just how vital a strong bench is at the highest level. He said,

“If you want to win, go far and do well in the competition, you need to have players who can give their all when they come on.”

Barcelona had limited attacking options on the bench. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Henry went on to add, “For a season, you need the bench to get you out of trouble. That’s why PSG signed Goncalo Ramos. It was a significant investment.

“When a player comes on, he has to try to change the game.

“That’s why I think Arsenal have a good chance of winning the Champions League this year: a strong bench can decide games.”

Barcelona, meanwhile, looked short of options in attack as the second half wore on. Missing the influence of Raphinha and Fermin Lopez, Hansi Flick could only turn to Robert Lewandowski as his single offensive substitution.

In contrast, PSG’s depth proved decisive, with Ramos delivering the winning moment that Barcelona lacked.

As explained by Henry, the lesson from the game is that while the Blaugrana showed fight, they cannot ignore the fact that depth is as crucial as talent.