At dawn on Thursday, in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League last eight, Barcelona came back from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) with a 3-2 away win, and the road to the next round will be open for them to challenge at home. The two teams traded the lead in this summit clash, but Barcelona coach Xavi made two "brilliant" moves in the second half, with all the substitutes coming on for one minute to make a miraculous achievement (assist or goal), which was the key to the turnaround and helped the team win their first UEFA Europa League last-eight match in the past five years.
Barcelona, the visitors, contracted their defense for a while in the first half, but their counterattacks were very threatening. In the 37th minute, Yemal's precise cross from the right side of the field was barely saved by PSG goalkeeper Kianlucki Lomma, but Brazilian winger Rafin Xabiloni scored easily. PSG then adjusted their tactics to take advantage of the loopholes in Barcelona's defense and scored twice in just three minutes, with Ousmane Dibili scoring a goal each to help the hosts overtake them 2-1.
In the second half, Xavi showed masterful substitution skills. Bale, who returned after a month of recuperation, came on after 661 minutes. It took only five seconds for the midfielder to complete a precise long pass, and Rafinha Biloni scored the first time through the opponent's goal. Xavi replaced center back Anders Kirchen again in the 76th minute, and just one minute later, the Danish center back took advantage of a corner kick to head home, helping Barcelona win the first round 3-2.
Xavi, who has announced that he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season, said: "I had plenty of time to prepare. In offense and defense, I did well to beat one of the best teams in the world and it was a great series of victories. But the task is only half done and the next round remains challenging." PSG lost for the first time at home in the knockout stages since the UEFA Europa League was reorganized, and on the previous four occasions, they lost again in the second round to go out of the competition.
