After its victory at the Parc des Princes last week (2-3), Barça will try to qualify against PSG, this Tuesday at Montjuïc (9 p.m., on RMC Sport 1), in the quarter-final second leg of the Champions League. Hoping to avoid a comeback, like the Catalan club suffered a few years ago against Roma and Liverpool.
March 8, 2017 broke habits, broke codes and shook up the mentalities of the clubs involved in the Champions League. After being defeated at the Parc des Princes in the round of 16 first leg (4-0), FC Barcelona succeeded that day in overthrowing PSG at the end of a legendary return match, concluded by a recovery from Sergi Roberto in a Camp Nou on the verge of implosion (6-1). The famous comeback. An evening which uninhibited the entire continent, proving that any defeat could be overcome. It doesn’t matter what the score is.
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But this historic meeting also cost Barça dearly, who were knocked out in the next round by Juventus. A few months later, Paris paid 222 million euros to lift Neymar’s release clause (the biggest transfer in history) and in the process, the Catalan club also suffered spectacular reversals in the League of Nations. champions…
Manolas’ angry face
The first comeback suffered by Barça took place in the spring of 2018. On April 4, Ernesto Valverde’s players largely won at the Camp Nou against AS Roma in the quarter-final first leg, thanks to two csc, a goal from Gerard Piqué and a strike from Luis Suarez (4-1). But six days later, they collapsed at the Olympic stadium in Rome, conceding three goals (3-0), on a shot from Edin Dzeko, a penalty from Daniele De Rossi (author of a csc in the first leg) and a header at the end of the match from Kostas Manolas (also guilty of a csc during the first act).
The “romantada”, as the European press described it with outrage. Or even the “rimonta” in the original version. “I take it badly and I suffer for the supporters. It’s a sad day for the people of Barcelona,” said Josep Maria Bartomeu, the president at the time.
The Anfield nightmare
A year later, FC Barcelona experienced new disillusionment in C1. Much more humiliating than the slap from Rome. On May 1, 2019, the Blaugranas first swept Liverpool in their garden, thanks to a goal from Luis Suarez and a double from Lionel Messi (3-0). Ousmane Dembélé, alone in the area, even missed a golden opportunity to increase the score in the final moments. But a week later (May 7), the Catalans collapsed again in the second leg in England. In unexpected proportions.
Buoyed by a bustling Anfield crowd, the Reds annihilated their visitors thanks to doubles from Georginio Wijnaldum and Divock Origi, notably served by a quick corner from Alexander-Arnold (4-0). Another comeback. With British sauce this time. “I ask for forgiveness from the supporters, because after Roma, it starts again, it’s very hard,” said Sergio Busquets, dejected, like all his partners.
The joy of Parisian supporters
Barça’s disappointments obviously brought joy to Parisian supporters, who celebrated them without restraint on social networks. Especially since the following year, FC Barcelona suffered a correction against Bayern Munich, in the quarter-final of the Final Four in Lisbon (8-2 in August 2020), while PSG rose for the first time time in the final of the competition (1-0 defeat against Bayern).
In spring 2021, Paris then took direct revenge by eliminating Barça in the round of 16 (1-4 at Camp Nou, 1-1 at Parc des Princes) in front of empty stands due to the Covid pandemic.
Paris can turn the page 2017
Since then, the Catalan club has experienced difficult times in the Champions League, failing to make it past the group stage in 2022 and 2023. Xavi’s players are rediscovering the thrill of knockout matches this season. But recent traumas still float in people’s minds. And after winning against Luis Enrique’s PSG last week at the Parc des Princes, in the quarter-final first leg (2-3), the Barcelona players approach the return match scheduled for this Tuesday at the Montjuic stadium (9 p.m. on RMC Sport) with suspicion 1).
For Paris, on the other hand, it’s time to exorcise old demons. With their backs against the wall, Marquinhos’ teammates must absolutely win to reach the final four of C1 (perhaps through overtime). History of definitively turning the page on 2017 and forgetting the Camp Nou disaster, these unfavorable refereeing decisions and this mind-blowing scenario, worthy of an American blockbuster.