PSG will hurt Barcelona on the counter, says ex-forward: ‘With players like Mbappe or Dembele’

Barcelona and PSG will kick things off at Parc des Princes in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie in less than an hour.

The two teams have already announced the starting lineups and fans are eagerly awaiting for the game to get underway in the French capital.

Heading into the game, though, former Barcelona forward, Sonny Anderson, has issued a warning to the team, claiming that they will be exposed on the break against pacy forwards like Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.

Anderson, a Brazilian striker, played for Barcelona between 1997 and 1999 and has extensive knowledge of French football having had stints with Marseille, Monaco and Olympique Lyon during his career.

“I’m sure PSG will hurt them on the counter-attacks with quick players like Mbappe or Dembele, which will be a plus for Paris,” said the ex-striker, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

PSG’s deadly duo. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)

Explaining the reason behind his opinion, Anderson added: “Barça’s defence is not like last year’s, which didn’t concede many goals, because they also have problems when it comes to defending towards their goal.”

Anderson acknowledged that Barcelona midfield duo, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, back from injury, have the capability to do well in this kind of match.

“Their absence has been a blow. Pedri and De Jong are two players who like to have the ball and play possession. In this type of game they can do well,” he remarked.

De Jong, having recovered from his ankle injury, has been named in the starting lineup by Xavi, alongside Ilkay Gundogan and Sergi Roberto in midfield.

The job of thwarting Mbappe and Dembele will fall on the shoulders of Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo.