Barça leave Paris with a point after 1-1 draw with PSG

Barça’s Juvenil A left Paris with a point after a 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in the Youth League. Pol Planas’s side was comfortable in possession for long stretches, but a lack of finishing precision proved costly. After three matchdays, Barça have scored three goals in the competition.

Barça travelled to face one of the tournament favourites intending to take control of the game, as Planas had said before the match. The team tried to build patiently and avoid losing the ball in dangerous areas. Their play often disrupted PSG’s pressing and made it difficult for the Paris side to win possession back, but Barça could not turn its chances into goals.

A mistake while playing out from the back led to the opening goal. Earlier in the match, Max Bonfill had been forced to make a save after a swift counterattack to prevent the breakthrough. PSG eventually went ahead through Niakate in the 61st minute. Pedro Rodríguez levelled from the penalty spot in the 74th, earning Juvenil A a point. Planas was also able to call on three Barça Atlètic players for the match: Pedro Rodríguez, Joni Hernández and Òscar Gistau.

The result was a mixed one for a side whose football stood out more than its individual performances. Barça had put particular emphasis on finishing in training beforehand, but could not make the most of its good opportunities. On the opening matchday, Planas’s team had already narrowly lost to Feyenoord (1-2), another tournament favourite.

Before the game, Planas had outlined the challenge: “I expect a match between two sides who will go at each other. PSG play very well and try to link up. They have a lot of quality on the ball, but we have a very clear identity and will try to impose our game.” After the match, his comments on finishing carried particular weight: “We have to focus mentally on how to get into the box. We have to value finishing because, as you get closer to the elite level, it has to be of the highest quality.”

Forward Iu Martínez had highlighted the opposition’s strength before kick-off: “We’re ready. PSG are a very physical team and very powerful up front.” Planas had also pointed to the demands of the schedule: “The team learned from the Feyenoord game. The players have to get used to it if they want to become professionals at a club like Barça, which plays in three or four competitions. There should be no excuses; we have to aim for the best performance and make every player feel involved.”