High Stakes for Five FC Barcelona Players

FC Barcelona cannot hold back in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. A spot in the semi-finals is at stake, and all players must give their all against PSG, despite the risk of five of them missing the first leg of a potential semi-final if booked. The best example of the attitude required was seen at the Parc des Princes. Sergi Roberto and Andreas Christensen played under the threat of suspension but committed two necessary fouls to halt PSG’s dangerous attacks, although it cost them participation in Tuesday’s match at Montjuïc. This time, the players on the brink of suspension are De Jong, Ferran Torres, Joao Félix, Araujo, and Lamine. If any of them are cautioned against PSG, they would miss the hypothetical first leg of the European semi-finals. All five players are available for Xavi Hernández’s selection, so they will be included in the squad list. De Jong, Araujo, and Lamine are likely to start, while Ferran Torres and Joao Félix are regular substitutes who often feature in the second half. Clean Slate for the Semis After this match, there will be no more looming threats. The players will enter the semi-finals without the risk of suspension due to accumulated yellow cards, ensuring they won’t miss a final due to a three-yellow card ban. Players would only be suspended if they were sent off. While a second yellow would result in a one-game suspension, a straight red would likely see them sidelined from the Champions League until next season. PSG also must proceed with caution. Dembélé, Lucas Hernández, Skriniar, Ugarte, and Vitinha head into the match with two yellow cards each, risking suspension if they receive a third, potentially ruling them out of the semi-finals against the winner of Borussia Dortmund vs. Atlético Madrid, with Atlético holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg at the Metropolitano.

FC Barcelona cannot hold back in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. A spot in the semi-finals is at stake, and all players must give their all against PSG, despite the risk of five of them missing the first leg of a potential semi-final if booked. The best example of the attitude required was seen at the Parc des Princes. Sergi Roberto and Andreas Christensen played under the threat of suspension but committed two necessary fouls to halt PSG’s dangerous attacks, although it cost them participation in Tuesday’s match at Montjuïc. This time, the players on the brink of suspension are De Jong, Ferran Torres, Joao Félix, Araujo, and Lamine. If any of them are cautioned against PSG, they would miss the hypothetical first leg of the European semi-finals. All five players are available for Xavi Hernández’s selection, so they will be included in the squad list. De Jong, Araujo, and Lamine are likely to start, while Ferran Torres and Joao Félix are regular substitutes who often feature in the second half. Clean Slate for the Semis After this match, there will be no more looming threats. The players will enter the semi-finals without the risk of suspension due to accumulated yellow cards, ensuring they won’t miss a final due to a three-yellow card ban. Players would only be suspended if they were sent off. While a second yellow would result in a one-game suspension, a straight red would likely see them sidelined from the Champions League until next season. PSG also must proceed with caution. Dembélé, Lucas Hernández, Skriniar, Ugarte, and Vitinha head into the match with two yellow cards each, risking suspension if they receive a third, potentially ruling them out of the semi-finals against the winner of Borussia Dortmund vs. Atlético Madrid, with Atlético holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg at the Metropolitano.