Barcelona And PSG Combined XI Ahead Of Champions League Heavyweight Bout: Barcelona Midfield Legend Misses Out

Our combined XI from the Barcelona and PSG squads.

Barcelona travel to Paris to face PSG this evening in what looks set to be the biggest game of the Champions League group stage so far, with two teams who hold genuine ambitions of winning the trophy facing off.

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PSG have started the Ligue 1 season in patchy form, once again being held to a draw this weekend by Toulouse, but they have the ability to trouble a Barcelona side still in the rebuilding phase under Luis Enrique.

This is our combined XI, which required some very tough decision:

GK) Salvatore Sirigu

The Italian international has been superb for PSG since making the move to Ligue 1 from Palermo and is a more accomplished stopper than his opposite number Claudio Bravo.

RB) Dani Alves

His powers may have waned slightly in recent years, but the Barca right back is still one of the best in the business and fills the space easily, with it being a problem area for PSG.

CB) Thiago Silva

The PSG centre back is a rock and a leader at the back – just the kind of player that Barcelona could do with slotting into their back line.

CB) Gerard Piqué

Pique is still a fine player when fit – but that is becoming a worryingly rare occurrence as far as Barcelona are concerned.

LB) Jordi Alba

A very tough decision at left back, where Spaniard Jordi Alba just edges in ahead of PSG duo Maxwell and Lucas Digne, with the latter set to become one of the best full backs around.

CM) Andres Iniesta

The little Spanish wizard in central midfield has now largely taken over from Xavi is technician-in-chief in the Barcelona engine room.

CM) Marco Verratti

PSG have plenty of depth in central midfield with the likes of Yohan Cabaye, Blaise Matuidi and Javier Pastore, but former Pescara playmaker Marco Verratti is a real gem.

ARM) Edinson Cavani

Tends to be played out of position on the wing for PSG and is again in this side, with the top class Uruguayan lining up on the right.

ACM) Lionel Messi

His new role at Barcelona seems to be as more of a number ten, with Messi still being one of the two best players in the world who would flourish in this side.

ALM) Neymar

The Brazilian is continuing to adapt to life at the Nou Camp after his stressful summer in Brazil, forming part of the world’s most blistering frontline.

SC) Zlatan Ibrahimovic

He may be getting on a bit now, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still one of the world’s best centre forwards and is still PSG’s most important player.