News
MIÉ 22.04.2015
"We're in our best moment". That was the categorical assessment of the FC Barcelona dressing room, courtesy of Neymar Jr., immediately after qualifying for the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. They did so against Paris Saint-Germain, who are one of Europe’s most powerful clubs but could not live with the class and quality of the stars of the Liga BBVA.
With a 1-3 first-leg win and a comprehensive 2-0 victory in the return at the Camp Nou, Luis Enrique's Barcelona left no-one in any doubt as to what the current Spanish league leaders aspire to in Europe's elite club tournament. Los azulgranas will feature in their eighth semi-final in ten seasons, a fact that gives way to reflection and optimism.
The cycle of success began in Paris in 2006, when Barcelona beat Arsenal (2-1) at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. And this season they set about continuing the period back where it started, in the French capital against the PSG of David Luiz, Edinson Cavani and former Barça man Zlatan Ibrahimović.
Barcelona will have the chance to continue their European exploits in just two weeks, when the semi-finals get up and running. They will be joined by another Spanish team, with Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid's last-eight tie still to be settled.
Neymar was the scorer of the two goals that earned victory over PSG, but the midfield magic of Andrés Iniesta and the solidity of Sergio Busquets once again ensured that the win also bore the hallmark of Spanish football, a brand of the game that continues to delight Europe not just in the Liga BBVA but also in continental competition.
"Our weapons were not enough against a better Barcelona team," admitted PSG coach Laurent Blanc following their defeat in Catalonia. Luis Enrique was without doubt a happier man as, with his side sitting on 78 points in Spain’s top flight, he is two games from a final in which the football of the Liga BBVA could again make history. "Hopefully the best is still to come," declared the Barça boss.
© LALIGA - 2015