Champions League rivals set for bumper European showdown this Wednesday evening…
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Based solely on this season’s form, here’s the side we’d pick if we had free reign of the PSG and Barcelona squads, before the two behemoths play each other in the Champions League this evening.
GK) Claudio Bravo – Barcelona
The summer signing has outshone Silvatore Sirigu this term, conceding just the seven top flight goals, to the Italian’s 12.
DR) Dani Alves – Barcelona
PSG have rotated Serge Aurier and Gregory Van der Wiel, while Alves has been a constant attacking menace for the Spanish giants at right-back.
DC) Marquinhos
With Thiago Silva injured often, Marquinhos has actually outshone his regular partner David Luiz in central defence – completing an outstanding 94% of his passes in Ligue 1.
DC) Jeremy Mathieu – Barcelona
The giant Frenchman has been as solid as a rock in central defence, consistently keeping Gerard Pique out of the side.
DL) Jordi Alba – Barcelona
Neither Lucas Digne or Maxwell has been able to nail down a place in the starting XI for PSG, meaning world-class Alba makes our side.
DMC) Marco Verratti – PSG
Verratti has been typically excellent for PSG, completing nearly all of his passes at the base of midfield, and dictating tempo for the French. Because of his added creativity, we’re choosing him ahead of the admittedly world-class Sergio Busquets.
MC) Ivan Rakitic – Barcelona
The best of Barcelona’s midfielders this season, the £16m Croatian has outshone legendary figures such as Xavi and Andres Iniesta since arriving.
MC) Javier Pastore – PSG
Pastore gets in this side because he’s totally turned around his career this season with the Parisians. He’s been creatively exceptional, starting all but one of his side’s games, and creating a hatful of chances for the wonderful attackers around him.
AMR) Lionel Messi – Barcelona
No matter how good Lucas Moura’s been for PSG, Messi’s been better. 20 goals already for arguably the greatest player of all time.
AML) Neymar – Barcelona
Neymar’s been almost as good as Messi. 13 goals in all competitions prove that he’s delivering consistent end product.
FC) Zlatan Ibrahimovic – PSG
While Luis Suarez has scored once so far, the giant Swede has notched eight in just eight Ligue 1 starts.