Barcelona fans bring high hopes to Paris ahead of PSG clash

Optimism is running high among Barcelona supporters in Paris ahead of Tuesday evening’s meeting with PSG in the third round of the Champions League league phase. Predictions gathered from fans arriving from Catalonia and elsewhere around the world are especially confident, even with the 2025 and 2026 European champions standing in their way.

More than 2,100 Barcelona supporters are expected to cheer on their team at the Parc des Princes. Scores of 1-3, 1-4 and 0-4 feature among the fans’ forecasts. The travelling support includes 1,648 members and 486 supporters from 120 Barcelona Penyes. Groups from Stuttgart, Shanghai, Amsterdam and A Coruña are among the largest. The Penya Blaugrana de París stood out by organising a dinner the previous evening for 50 supporters from different Penyes.

That confidence comes with a major sporting challenge. Luis Enrique’s PSG go into the match as tournament leaders on goal difference and have won the last two editions of the Champions League. A Barcelona victory would be the team’s 11th in as many official matches this season, as well as Hansi Flick’s 100th as the club’s coach.

Barcelona arrive after strengthening their lead in La Liga with a win over Betis at La Cartuja. Mundo Deportivo describes the match as an opportunity for Barcelona to target top spot in the Champions League too, before next Sunday’s Clasico at Spotify Camp Nou. The outlet also points to defensive difficulties: Eric and Koundé are out of the squad through injury, and Flick has called on the reserve team to complete the group.

Security remains another concern in Paris and France following incidents linked to protests over the past week. No demonstration is scheduled for Tuesday, and close to 1,400 security personnel are expected to be part of the arrangements around the stadium. Against that backdrop, the fans’ enthusiasm accompanies a significant test for Barcelona as they pursue the top spot in Europe’s competition.