Koeman still believes in Barcelona comeback: With Messi, nothing is impossible

Ronald Koeman maintains another miraculous comeback against Paris Saint-Germain is not beyond Barcelona’s capabilities, especially with Lionel Messi in the side.

Barca head to the Parc des Princes on Wednesday trailing 4-1 from the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick in PSG’s commanding win at Camp Nou last month, leaving Barca requiring a remarkable result in France if they are to go through, with no team having ever progressed from a knockout tie in the competition’s history after losing the first leg at home by three goals or more.

The Catalans are also on a miserable run away from home in Europe, having won only once in their past nine such knockout stage matches, failing to score in six of those games.

Barca pulled off an unforgettable comeback against PSG four years ago, recovering from losing the first leg 4-0 in Paris to progress after a sensational 6-1 win at home.

Koeman accepts a repeat of that famous ‘remontada’ is less likely given PSG are the home side for the second leg on this occasion, and the Barca boss does not believe Mauricio Pochettino’s men will be afraid of history repeating itself.

However, even with centre-backs Gerard Pique and Ronald Araujo missing through injury, Koeman will not give up on Messi and Barca producing another match to remember.

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“We had a bad result in the reverse fixture. It all depends on how we start the game. We’ll try to make life difficult,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“It depends on our effectiveness. They had a lot in the first game. We go out to win on any pitch. We always create a lot of chances. Nothing is impossible.

“The comeback in the Copa del Rey [against Sevilla] has given us confidence, but it’s not the same to come back from 2-0 at home as coming back from 4-1 away, and PSG are a very strong team.

“To be able to have any chance, we have to have a complete night and have a huge amount of effectiveness. But we’ll try. Hopefully, we can make things tough.

“We have to go out strong and play our game and create chances. If, after the game, we have the feeling we’ve given our utmost, we’ll see what the result is. The worst thing that can happen is to think we haven’t tried, or we haven’t given everything.

“Of course, if we think we can come back, we need every player at their best level. If Leo is able to play one of his best games, everything is possible.

“He can decide any game in any moment. But it shouldn’t only be him at his best level, but the whole team. We need luck, too.

“I don’t think PSG are scared of us. I’m sure their coach will prepare them in the best way so they don’t think it’s an easy game, but there are circumstances that are totally different for a comeback [this time].

“It’s always easier playing the second leg at home than away. We need to play our game. I’m sure they have confidence in their new coach.”

Midfielder Frenkie de Jong thinks Barca’s comeback against Sevilla, when they won 3-0 after extra time at Camp Nou to overturn a 2-0 Copa semi-final deficit, proves the players are united behind their coach.

With Neymar still unavailable due to an adductor injury, De Jong is keeping faith in his side’s chances.

“The main objective is always to qualify,” he said. “We’re going to compete and see how things go.

“We’re always united. Recently, we’ve been getting good results, and we’re united as a team – you could see that against Sevilla.

“I don’t know if 4-1 was fair, but we played that game badly. We’re going to Paris to give a good image of ourselves, to compete.

“Neymar is among the best in the world. The fact he’s not available is better for us. If Neymar isn’t there, the opposition are less strong.”