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Barca back in Paris for Champions League quarters

Xinhua, April 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

While most of Spain has its attention fixed on Tuesday night's Madrid derby in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, FC Barcelona are preparing for their own European adventure in Paris when they face Paris Saint Germain on Wednesday.

For Barca it is a return to the scene of the crime and nobody at the club has forgotten that they were beaten 3-2 by the French side in the group stage of the competition, although they will be pleased that the volatile PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovich is unable to play against his former club due to suspension.

Barca have problems of their own to sort out, not least the apparently poor relationship between coach Luis Enrique and Brazilian striker Neymar, who reacted badly to being substituted in the second half of Barca's 2-2 draw away to Sevilla on Saturday night.

Neymar made an obvious gesture of frustration at his change at it will be interesting to see if coach Luis Enrique puts him in the starting 11 or instead prefers to start with either Pedro Rodriguez or Andres Iniesta as part of his attacking trip alongside Luis Suarez and Messi.

Luis Enrique has called up every available player to travel to Paris with only the injured Thomas Vermaelen and the suspended Dani Alves remaining in Barcelona, where they will prepare for Saturday's league game at home to Valencia.

Barca have three options to cover for the Alves at right back with Martin Montoya the favorite to get the nod, although the versatile Adriano offers more of an attacking outlet than Montoya.

Douglas has also travelled, but given that he has hardly played this season, it is unlikely that he would be thrown into the side for such an important match.

Barca have a fine defensive record this season, they will be looking to keep that going on Wednesday, but almost as important as keeping a clean sheet is scoring a vital away goal for next Tuesday's return leg. Endi