Here’s a collection of interesting facts ahead of the return leg of the Champions League quarter-final between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain
The referee
The referee designated to oversee Wednesday’s match is the Dutchman Björn Kuipers. He’s refereed Barça four times in the past. The team’s record with Mr Kuipers is two victories, one draw and one defeat.
FC Barcelona’s rival on Wednesday, Paris Saint-Germain, was founded in 1970. Perhaps due to the French team’s relatively short history, there’s only been one official match between them and the Blaugrana in the quarter-finals of the Champions League not counting the match that took place last week. It took place in the 1994/95 season and the result was a one-all draw. The goal scorers were Korneiev and Weah. Here are a couple of other interesting facts ahead of tomorrow’s match:
– FC Barcelona haven’t dropped a game at the Camp Nou in the Champions League in three years. Since the defeat to Rubin Kazan (October 20, 2009) Barca have won 16 matches and tied 4 at home.
– This is the second time in the history of PSG that they’ve qualified for the quarter-finals of the competition.
– Olympique Lyon, the last French team to visit the Camp Nou in the Champions League, lost by 5 to 2 (Round of 16, 2008/09).
– Barça have bested their quart-final opponents for the past six consecutive seasons.
– All of Paris Saint-Germain’s goals have been scored from within the area (19).
– Xavi Hernández, despite missing a match in the competition, is the player that has completed the most passes in the tournament (930), 411 more than the player in second place.
– With 59 goals, Leo Messi is the second highest goalscorer ever in the Champions League. Raul González currently sits atop of the list with 71 goals.
– Jordi Alba, Adriano, Song, and Piqué are one booking away from being suspended, while Lavezzi and Thiago Silva are in the same situation.