Paris Saint-Germain will face FC Barcelona on Wednesday in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie. One of the concerns that the Spanish side will have is defending Kylian Mbappé.
If the Frenchman has a breakout game like he did in 2021, it will be a long day for the Spanish side. As a result, manager Xavi Hernandez must devise a defensive game plan that limits the damage the 25-year-old can do.
Xavi spoke with reporters on Tuesday ahead of the contest and noted while they have to worry about the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner, he’s not the only player the defense must concentrate on.
“Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Randal Kolo Muani, Vitinha … That’s the whole PSG team,” Xavi said (h/t Canal Supporters). “The scorer is Mbappé , we know that. You have to be aggressive, mark it well, be attentive. PSG is one of the best teams in the world in transition.”
It will be interesting to see how Luis Enrique approaches whatever gameplan Xavi might have for him since the Barcelona coach does know the 53-year-old from a managerial perspective.
Nonetheless, if Enrique can figure out Xavi and Barcelona’s defensive plan an attack its weak points, then it could bode well for the Parisians.
