AP, Paris :
Paris Saint-Germain may finally have what it takes to compete with the best teams in Europe after the French side upstaged Lionel Messi’s Barcelona in a thrilling 3-2 Champions League win on Tuesday.
David Luiz and midfielder Marco Verratti scored their first goals as PSG produced its best performance of the season to defeat a Barcelona side that is unbeaten in the Spanish league – and replied with goals from star strikers Messi and Neymar.
PSG’s Qatari owners, QSI, have pumped hundreds of millions of dollars into the club since taking over in June 2011 in a bid to join Europe’s elite by winning football’s most coveted club trophy.
“It’s the best win of my life,” PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said.
PSG held 2011 champions Barca to 2-2 and 1-1 draws in the quarterfinals two seasons ago to go out on away goals. The same happened in last year’s quarters against 2012 winners Chelsea, with a 3-1 home win followed by a 2-0 defeat.
“The new owners are starting to build a European club with a lot of ambition and we’re giving positive signs because we can compete against recent winners of the Champions League,” said PSG coach Laurent Blanc, who was under pressure after six draws in nine games.
“The Champions League is about having that consistency, but let’s wait and see what happens from now on.”
Luiz put PSG ahead in the 10th minute, with Messi equalizing two minutes later. Poor Barcelona defending allowed Verratti – one of the smallest players on the pitch – to drift in unmarked to head PSG ahead again in the 26th. “We made a few mistakes at the start and we knew they were very strong on set-pieces,” Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said. “I’m not surprised at all. We know the level of this team and they have aspirations to win this competition.”
Midfielder Blaise Matuidi finished off a fine move to give PSG a 3-1 lead in the 54th but Barcelona’s Brazilian star Neymar replied in the 56th, again exposing PSG’s defensive vulnerability after the euphoria of scoring.
Barcelona almost equalized in the 85th when Munir El Haddadi struck the base of the post and then Sandro Ramirez dragged his shot wide in the closing seconds.
PSG had been short of confidence this season, while Barcelona had not conceded a goal in seven matches and scored 18.
