One team won nothing last season. The other is closing in on winning everything this season. Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain both have points to prove in the Champions league quarterfinals. But on Thursday at Parc des Princes, PSG will be without Ibrahimovic's goals, Marco Verratti's midfield zest and David luiz's forays from the back against the most potent attacking trio in European soccer: Messi, Suarez and Neymar. The four-time European champions haven't defeated a French team on French soil since lyon in 2001.
MISSING STARS: Red-carded against Chelsea, Ibrahimovic's one-match suspension deprives PSG of the scorer of 104 goals in three seasons and leaves Edinson Cavani as the focal point of the attack. With luiz injured and former Barcelona midfielder Thiago Motta uncertain, France international Yohan Cabaye could play in front of PSG's defense to break up the Neymar-Suarez-Messi trident, supported by Blaise Matuidi and, possibly, Adrien Rabiot.
CHINKS OF WEAKNESS: Unconvincing defense from Gerard Pique and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo allowed Barcelona's opponents to claw back from a 2-0 deficit. Continued frailty in defense or attack could compromise Barcelona's push for a Champions league-Spanish league-Copa del Rey triple.
MUNICH FAVOURED
Porto: Even without a handful of players, Bayern Munich will be favored when it faces FC Porto on Wednesday in the Champions league quarterfinals.
BAYERN INJURIES: Bayern will be without winger Franck Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger as it pursues its fourth straight semifinal appearance.
PORTO'S PROBlEM: While Bayern has a comfortable 10-point lead in the Bundesliga, Porto is fighting to make up lost ground in domestic competition.
Porto coach Julen lopetegui, in his first Champions league campaign, said he envies Bayern coach Pep Guardiola for having the luxury of resting some players last weekend. The Spaniard is also worrying about the fitness of forwards Jackson Martinez, the Portuguese league's top scorer, Adrian lopez and Cristian Tello.