There are great challenges in the world of football for FC Barcelona, but some are much greater than others. One of those tests and challenges will come in the form of Barça’s upcoming Champions League clash. For Xavi’s Barcelona, Luis Enrique’s PSG will offer arguably their biggest challenge yet.
However, even within Enrique’s PSG, there is one name that stands out indefinitely. Kylian Mbappe, the crown jewel of the Parisian club, remains by far the most potent threat present within the team from Ligue 1.
His goalscoring, speed, dribbling, ability to unbalance opponents, and straight-up determination are all factors that combine to make him one of the world’s most dangerous players.
As such, according to SPORT, Xavi is already working on a plan to restrict Mbappe. His threat is undeniable, and he will be the biggest challenge that FC Barcelona will have to monitor and put a stop to. With him at his best, PSG’s chances to win raise exponentially. However, if he is limited by the opponents, the Parisians do not feel nearly as threatening.
One component that Xavi has in mind to deal with Mbappe is that of Jules Kounde. The French defender is someone who knows his compatriot unlike anyone else in the team, as he coincides quite regularly with the French attacker on international duties and in trainings with the French National team, so his understanding of Mbappe should be better than most.
However, he will not be the only one who needs to step up in that encounter. Ronald Araujo, Barça’s Uruguayan sentinel, will need to be at his best too. Mbappe’s tendency to cut inside and exploit the space between fullbacks and their neighboring center-backs is one of his most lethal weapons. Consequently, it becomes vital that Araujo limits that space and keeps Mbappe in check.
Araujo will likely remain partnered with Pau Cubarsi in that game as well, unless any last-minute changes take place. The young Spaniard’s penetrating passes could prove to be key too, especially against a PSG side that tends to leave spaces to be exploited while attacking.
Even during the ongoing international break, Barcelona will keep a close eye on the PSG forward. In the upcoming game against Germany, Barcelona hope to get a clue as to how exactly Mbappe will operate and how to best limit his influence in games. Barcola is already a doubt for the first leg, but Barça’s primary worry still remains keeping Mbappe at bay.
In all competitions, the French World Cup winner has 38 goals and 8 assists in 37 appearances this season. Surreal numbers, and the kind that can decide games quite frequently and at a moment’s notice. Thus, Barcelona can not afford to be complacent at any given point against PSG’s star man, and a potential rival at Real Madrid in the future.
