Paris SG vs Barcelona

KO: 19 : 45

Referee: Stark (GER) - Stadium: Parc des Princes, Paris (FRA)

TEAM NEWS

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is back for Paris St-Germain after having his two-match ban reduced to one. Thiago Motta misses out through a groin problem but Lucas Moura returns from injury and Ezequiel Lavezzi is back after a rest at the weekend.

Barcelona duo Jordi Alba and Xavi are carrying hamstring knocks and were rested at the weekend but assistant coach Jordi Roura says their situation "is improving". Victor Valdes is back in contention after having been suspended for the trip to Celtic but Carles Puyol (knee) and Adriano (hamstring) have both stayed in Barcelona.

MANAGER QUOTES

Carlo Ancelotti: "We may not have a lot of possession but as soon as we get the ball I want my team to show character and inspiration to go forward and score. We have defended very well so far this term and we've done well on the counter-attack. This is what we want to do today because we'll need it if we are to get a good result."

Jordi Roura (Barca assistant): "They are quick on the break and strong in the air, especially with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, but those are just two of their options: they have a lot more tricks in their bag. We'll have to adapt a bit, of course, but we won't change the way we play, although we have studied their game carefully."

MATCH FACTS

The only previous Champions League encounter between PSG and Barcelona was in the quarter-finals in March 1995. The French club won 3-2 on aggregate.

The last two Champions League /European Cup finals played at Wembley have both been won by Barcelona (1992 and 2011).

PSG are unbeaten at home in their last 23 games in European competition, qualifiers included (15 wins, 8 draws). Their last defeat dates back to 23 November 2006 in the group phase of the UEFA Cup, against Hapoel Tel-Aviv (2-4).

PSG have won 15 of their 21 home games in the Champions League (two draws, four defeats).

PSG are unbeaten in their last six Champions League games (five wins, one draw).

Barcelona have always scored against French opposition in the Champions League (10 games).

Barcelona have only won three of their last 14 away games in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

PSG have conceded only five goals in eight Champions League games this season, only Juventus have a better defensive record in the competition this season (four goals). They have never conceded more than one goal in the competition this season.

All 17 of PSG’s goals in the Champions League this season have been scored from inside the box, more than any other side.

All 15 of Barcelona’s goals in the Champions League this season have been scored from open play.

Barcelona have averaged 74.4% possession in the Champions League, more than any other side. They have completed 6,073 passes, that’s 2,858 more than PSG (3,215).

Ezequiel Lavezzi has scored five goals in his last four Champions League games. He’s PSG’s top scorer in the competition this season.

Lionel Messi has scored 58 goals in 76 Champions League games. Only Raul has netted more (71 goals, in 142 games). He’s been directly involved in five of Barça’s six away goals in the Champions League this season (three goals, two assists).

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored only four goals in 28 Champions League games in the knockout phase.

MATCH ODDS

PSG 15/4, Barcelona 3/4, Draw 11/4.