Champions League 2.2 billion battle at 3 a.m.! Barcelona plays against Paris again: 8 players on both sides are absent, core showdown

At 3 a.m. on October 2, in the second round of the Champions League stage, Barcelona faced Paris Saint-Germain at home. This is a battle worth 2.2 billion euros, but star players such as Dembele and Douai are absent. Vitina and Pedri's midfield master PK became one of the important highlights.

[Confrontation History]

The two teams have 15 matches, with Barcelona winning 6 wins, 4 draws and 5 losses. In the quarter-finals of the 2023-24 Champions League, Barcelona and Paris met on a narrow road. In the away game, Barcelona defeated Paris 3-2; in the second leg, Paris successfully made a 4-1 return away.

【Classics are constantly coming! The Champions League starts a 2.2 billion battle]

This season, the top 36 of the Champions League, 7 teams have a total value of over 1 billion euros, Barcelona has a total value of 1.11 billion euros, and Paris has a total value of 1.07 billion euros. This super showdown is worth nearly 2.2 billion euros! The showdown between Barcelona and Paris has produced many famous games. The most famous one is the 2016-17 Champions League quarter-finals. In the first leg, Barcelona lost 0-4 away. Back to the Camp Nou, Barcelona won 6-1 and successfully made a miraculous comeback. In the 2023-24 Champions League quarter-finals, Paris completed revenge and lost 2-3 at home, it seized the opportunity of Araujo being red from the away game and won 4-1 to stage a reversal.

[Injury troubles, each side has 4 main players absent]

The battle between Barcelona vs. Paris should have been a brilliant and good show of attacking, but both sides have important players absent due to injury. Paris coach Enrique also felt sorry: "Paris has 4-5 players injured, and Barcelona also has players who cannot play. Frick and I, as well as fans of both sides, are very regretful." In Paris, the four main players of Marginhos, Duei, Kvaratsheria and Dembele were absent, but fortunately Vitina returned in time; in Barcelona's team, Garvey, Fermin, Rafinia, and Joan Garcia were unable to play.

[Midfield Core Showdown Pedri vs Vitinia]

Due to Dembele's absence, fans missed the direct dialogue between Golden Ball No. 1 and Golden Ball No. 2 (Yamar); Douai also missed the battle, and the showdown of the top two in the Copa Awards could not be achieved. However, fans can enjoy the showdown of the midfielder: Barcelona core Pedri, Paris commander Vitinia. In the 2025 Golden Globe Awards, Vitinia ranked 3rd and Pedri ranked 11th. Which of the two master midfielders is more outstanding in this game?

【Expected starter】

Barca (4231): Szczesni/Conde, Eric Garcia, Kubasi, Martin/Dejong, Pedri/Yamar, Ormo, Ferran Torres/Lewandow

Paris Saint-Germain (433): Shevalier/Ashraf, Zabarni, Pacho, Nuno Mendes/Fabian Ruiz, Vitinia, Emery Jr./Mbayer, Gonzalo Ramos, Balcola