Papin: PSG have a real chance against Barcelona

17-Mar-2013 4:20:00 PM

The former Olympique de Marseille striker believes that les Parisiens have an excellent opportunity to overhaul the Blaugrana and make the Champions League semi-finals

Jean-Pierre Papin believes that those dismissing Paris Saint-Germain's chances against Barcelona in the Champions League are doing so prematurely.

Papin, a Ballon d’Or winner in 1991 whilst at Olympique de Marseille, has insisted that the Ligue 1 leaders have enough quality to take them past the Catalans, even with Zlatan Ibrahimovic suspended in the first leg.

"Those who think that PSG have no chance are deceiving themselves," the ex-France international was quoted in Le Parisien.

"Even if Barcelona have a 70% chance of qualification, with a performance like in the first leg at Valencia, PSG still have a real chance.

"Big players always light up special occasions and Paris Saint-Germain have some great players."

The quarter-final first leg will be played at Parc des Princes on April 2 and, with Ibrahimovic’s suspension hanging over the tie, many, including Rolland Courbis, are less enthusiastic about les Rouge-et-Bleu's prospects.

“Without Zlatan in the first match, PSG have a one in a hundred chance of winning," the 59-year-old former defender stressed.

"Especially if the Barcelona who beat AC Milan 4-0 turn up," he concluded.