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Barcelona vs PSG (agg 3-2) - Champions League quarter-final: Live score, team news and updates as Kylian Mbappe and company look to overturn first-leg deficit plus updates from Borussia Dortmund vs Atletico Madrid

7 months ago 44

By Harry Bamforth

Published: 18:00 BST, 16 April 2024 | Updated: 18:59 BST, 16 April 2024

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Atmosphere is building in Dortmund

The fans are starting to flock in at Signal Iduna Park.

We know what noise the 'yellow wall' can make when it's having its best day, it will need to be like that today.

I also spot a Jude Bellingham shirt in there, if only he was still a Dortmund player, they could do with a midfielder like him tonight.

EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock (14434932b) Fans of Borussia Dortmund seen prior the match Borussia Dortmund v Atletico Madrid, UEFA Champions League, Quarter Final, Second Leg, Football, Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany - 16 Apr 2024

 General view outside the stadium as fans arrive prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 16, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Haller’s unmatched UCL goal ratio

Sebastien Haller loves the Champions League.

I'm about to share a statistic that shocked me and will probably surprise all of you as well.

Haller's 12 goals in just 13 appearances in the Champions League - 11 for Ajax and one for Dortmund - means he averages a goal every 72 minutes in the competition.

His minutes-per-goal rate is the best in the history of UEFA’s premier competition among anyone to have scored at least five times.

Dortmund's French forward #09 Sebastien Haller kicks the ball to scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter final first leg football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on April 10, 2024. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP) (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images)

Barca mean business

Barcelona have arrived at the stadium earlier than normal.

It's a huge night for them, especially after how poorly they started the season.

If they manage to win tonight, they will look like one of the more likely sides to win the competition.

Tonight will not be easy, though!

 Xavi, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 16, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

 Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 16, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Mbappe’s magnificent away record

Kylian Mbappe may not have had his best game in the first leg but count him out at your own peril.

The French superstar loves an away day in Europe, especially in the knockout stages. He has scored 13 goals in 11 away games in the Champions League knockouts.

That record has only been bettered by two players, Cristiano Ronaldo with 23 in 39 matches and Karim Benzema with 14 in 34.

How PSG could do with him extending that record tonight.

   Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain in action during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona at Parc des Princes on April 10, 2024 in Paris, France.(Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

PSG fans arrive in numbers

It's not only the Barcelona fans making noise.

The PSG supporters are making their way to the Olympic Stadium in numbers, and well, they are not doing it quietly.

Seeing the atmosphere like this already is making me extremely excited for tonight.

I can't wait for it to get going!

Can Raphinha hurt PSG again?

Last week may have been Raphinha's best performance in a Barcelona shirt.

The former Leeds winger ripped apart PSG at times and his second goal was simply special.

PSG will certainly be wary of him tonight, he could take the game away from them in an instant.

He looks ready for business.

 Raphinha of FC Barcelona arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 16, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Edin Terzic: ‘We want to pay supporters back’

Edin Terzic, Borussia Dortmund boss, speaking on Monday:

We need a good result against Atletico and we're pretty sure our supporters want to make that happen and create a good atmosphere. So, we want to pay them back.

 Manager Edin Terzic of Borussia Dortmund speaks to the media during the Press Conference of the UEFA Champions League 2023/2024 quarter-finals second leg football match between Borussia Dortmund and Atletico de Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 15, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images)

Diego Simeone: ‘We will have to suffer’

Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid manager, speaking on Monday:

Now we’ll go to their stadium knowing that we’re going to find a strong team, a team with a lot of people who are going to take it to us, to attack. We will have to suffer and take advantage of the spaces.
Seeing these first elimination ties, in the four [quarter-final] matches, it’s not easy to win, so we’re happy to have won.

Atletico Madrid's Argentinian coach Diego Simeone addresses a press conference on the eve of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg football match against Borussia Dortmund in Dortmund, western Germany on April 15, 2024. (Photo by LEON KUEGELER / AFP) (Photo by LEON KUEGELER/AFP via Getty Images)

First leg: Atletico take slender lead to Dortmund

The Champions League really did serve us up some belters last week.

I’m once again feeling reminiscent, so let’s rewind to last week’s first leg between Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

Diego Simeone’s side could not have hoped for a better start, racing into a two-goal lead in the first-half thanks to Rodrigo De Paul and Samuel Lino.

Their dominance didn’t last though and Dortmund came back strong in the second period, getting their reward when substitute Sebastian Haller halved the deficit with a fine finish.

The visitors then huffed and puffed in search of a late equaliser, but they couldn't find it. They’ll be hoping that it comes early on tonight instead.

Once again, a tightly contested first leg means tonight could be tense.

 Players of Atletico Madrid celebrate after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter finals first leg football match between Atletico Madrid v Borussia at Dortmund Civitas Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain on April 10, 2024. (Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Dortmund's Sebastien Haller, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Champions League quarterfinal soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Luis Enrique: ‘We are convinced we will turn the tie around’

Luis Enrique, PSG boss, speaking on Monday:

PSG have never come back to win after losing a first leg, but [Tuesday] is the day. After a defeat in such an important game, the days after the match were hard. It's tricky to recover mentally, but the good thing about football is you have another game against the same opponent.
I thought we at least deserved a draw in the first match. We have to be better this time. We won't hold back. That phrase does not exist for us, and we are convinced we will turn the tie around.
I think this game will be similar. I think there will be goals. The 3-2 scoreline means we have to go for the game.

 Photo by Jose Breton/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (14436534f) Luis Enrique head coach of PSG during the press conference before the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 15, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. Paris Saint-Germain Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Champions League 2023/24, Barcelona, Spain - 15 Apr 2024

First leg: Barcelona come back to win in the French capital

What a game we were treated to last week!

It was a match that struggled to get going, but it burst into life in the second half, swinging one way and then the other.

PSG’s backline really struggled in the first half, especially Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, and his mistake allowed Raphinha to send Barcelona into the lead.

However, PSG came out in the second period like a team with a point to prove and overturned Barcelona’s half-time lead within five minutes of the second half.

At that point, it seemed like Xavi's side looked down and out but after some smart substitutions and sheer determination, they turned it back around with Raphinha netting a second and Andres Christensen heading in the winner.

I hope they serve up another thriller tonight!

Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

PSG's Kylian Mbappe gestures during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly)

Xavi: ‘It’s going to be a major football war’

Xavi, Barcelona boss, speaking on Monday:

It’s going to be a major football war. We are not a team that speculates; we will want to take the ball away from PSG and win the game. Hopefully, we’ll be at our best. They’re going to demand a lot from us.
I think it’s a good moment and I’m excited. We feel it already. We have to control our emotions, our temperament, it’s a game of heads or tails. We want to be in control with the ball, and we want to show the best side and personality of the team.
We need our fans to be loud because PSG will make us suffer, there’s no doubt about it, and we have to be a team to beat them. All of us, together.

 Head Coach Xavi Hernandez of FC Barcelona faces the media during a press conference ahead of their UEFA Champions league Quarter Final 2nd leg match against Paris Saint Germain at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on April 15, 2024 in Sant Joan Despi, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Electric atmosphere in Barcelona

Wow, Barcelona is already rocking.

We are still over 90 minutes away from kick-off, but the Barcelona fans are already at the stadium in their thousands to welcome their team.

If this is anything to go by, the atmosphere in the Olympic Stadium is going to be intimidating tonight.

The Catalonians are well up for the fight!

 A detailed view of a flare set off by fans of FC Barcelona to show their support on their way to the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 16, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

 The FC Barcelona team coach arrives at the stadium as flares are set off by fans of FC Barcelona prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 16, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

 Fans of FC Barcelona show their support as flares are set off as the FC Barcelona team coach arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 16, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Can Dortmund turn it around?

While Atletico Madrid are ahead in the tie, it feels like they may have a tougher time holding onto their lead than Barcelona.

Diego Simeone’s side were comfortable with a 2-0 lead last week at the Wanda Metropolitano, but Sebastian Haller’s late strike changes things slightly.

Borussia Dortmund will feel that with their home crowd behind them, they can turn the tie around. When the yellow wall are on it, Signal Iduna Park becomes a cauldron of noise.

Both Dortmund and Atletico are desperate to reach their first semi-finals in 11 years and seven, respectfully.

This one is tough to call.

 Photo by Lairys Laurent/ABACA/Shutterstock (14431238a) Koke of Atletico Madrid and Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League, Quarter-finals, 1st leg football match between Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund on April 10, 2024 at Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain. Champions League - Atletico Madrid V Dortmund, Spain - 10 Apr 2024

Barca in pole position

If tonight’s match between Barcelona and PSG is anything like last week, we are in for a treat.

Xavi’s side come into tonight with a slender one-goal lead after their comeback in Paris last week and are on a 13-match unbeaten streak since the Spaniard announced he was leaving the club in the summer.

The five-time winners last reached the semi-finals in 2018-19, where they met Liverpool – we all know what happened there – and look set to make the last four.

However, it’s not going to be easy. PSG showed their strength at times last week and still have the potent Kylian Mbappe, who surely won’t perform as poorly as he did last week.

I’m envisioning more goals in this tie, these two always serve up a cracker.

PSG's Lucas Hernandez, right, is challenged by Barcelona's Raphinha during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly)

UCL QF Part II: Battle recommences in Barcelona

Has it been a week already?

The road to London is really starting to heat up, it will be the end of the line for two teams in the Champions League tonight, but which ones.

Barcelona simply have to avoid defeat tonight to make their first Champions League semi-final in five years, their comeback win in Paris has them in a strong position to knock the French champions out.

The Catalonians are not the only Spanish side who have one foot in the semi-finals, Atletico Madrid travel to Borussia Dortmund with a one-goal advantage.

With both ties so tightly contested, it’s set to be another action-packed night of European football’s premier competition.

Strap yourselves in, it’s time to get going.

 A detailed view of a flare set off by fans of FC Barcelona to show their support on their way to the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 16, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

 A detailed view of an Official UEFA Champions League Match Ball on the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 16, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Oliver Hardt - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Key Updates

  • UCL QF Part II: Battle recommences in Barcelona

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