Nobody saw it coming.
Not when PSG trounced them 4-0 in Paris a couple of weeks ago. Not when Luis Enrique announced his intentions to quit at the end of the season. Not when Luis Suarez broke the deadlock on the 3rd minute mark. And definitely not when Edinson Cavani notched the coveted away goal and made it 3-1 on the 62nd minute. But somehow, the Catalans pulled every ounce of magic under their sleeves and scored three goals in the last five minutes to complete what’s being referred to as the ‘Greatest Comeback in Champions League history’.
You could almost sense the disbelief within Camp Nou, instantly after the match. Luis Enrique was waxing lyrical about the beauty of football. PSG fans were utterly shocked – a section of them possibly pinning the blame on the referee. Unai Emery was unually composed in the post-match press conference. The spectacle was almost cinematic, to be frank. And it evidently sent the entire world into frenzy mode.
But if you thought the result was unbelievable, we’ve taken the libery of attaching several impeccable statistics (courtesy of Opta, ) from last nights game. From PSG’s capitulation to Barcelona’s sheer dominance to Suarez’s beast-like performance, we’ve got you all covered!
1) HOW DO YOU TURN A FOUR-GOAL DEFICIT?
1 – Barcelona are the first side in Champions League and European Cup history to overturn a first-leg 4-goal deficit. Mesmeric.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 8, 2017
2) PASS, MOVE, RINSE, REPEAT
235 – Barcelona attempted 235 passes in the opposite half in this game, 184 more than Paris SG (51). Siege. pic.twitter.com/gUsmIC47fv
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 8, 2017
3) RIDICULOUS SUAREZ
65 – Luis Suarez has scored 65 goals in 64 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona at the Camp Nou. Wild.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 8, 2017
4) HOW TO DROP THE BALL EFFECTIVELY 101
PSG completed just FOUR passes between the 85th minute and full-time.
THREE of those were from kick-off after conceding Barcelona goals. pic.twitter.com/G0odu6jhjj
— James McManus (@JamesMcManus1) March 8, 2017
5) MOST UNDERRATED SIGNING OF THE SEASON?
Samuel Umtiti's game by numbers vs. PSG:
60 passes
5 aerial duels won (100%)
3 interceptions
2 clearances
2 chances createdUmtitan. 💪 pic.twitter.com/ghx13kpk0F
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 8, 2017
6) AND THERE’S STILL PRESSURE ON HIS SHOULDERS?
Barcelona in the Champions League under Luis Enrique at Camp Nou:
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Goals: 50
Conceded: 7 pic.twitter.com/J08aSs2mQe— Squawka (@Squawka) March 8, 2017
7) STILL THINK HE’S PAST HIS BEST?
Gerard Pique's heat map vs. PSG is madness. Makes him look like a box-to-box midfielder.
Via @Squawka pic.twitter.com/ZzSmBENFqP
— James McManus (@JamesMcManus1) March 8, 2017
8) EASILY THE BEST PLAYER ON THE PITCH LAST NIGHT
Neymar's game by numbers vs. PSG:
7 crosses
6 shots
4 take-ons
3 tackles won
2 chances created
2 goals
1 assistNeymarvellous. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/zy6kihRYub
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 8, 2017
9) KEVIN WAS REALLY ‘TRAPPED’ WASN’T HE?
1 – Goalkeeper Kevin Trapp had the joint most touches (28) and most passes (19) for PSG in the first half against Barcelona. Pressurized.
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) March 8, 2017
10) WHEN SOMEONE SAYS ‘NOTHING WILL CHANGE IN THE LAST FIVE MINUTES’
After the 85th minute:
Barcelona had 6 shots.
Barcelona scored 3 goals.
PSG completed 4 passes, 3 from kick off situations.Wow. 😳 pic.twitter.com/UN9f0Co2V8
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 8, 2017
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