Barcelona fans mistakenly targeted the wrong team bus as it arrived for their Champions League quarter-final match against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, April 16.
Amid the confusion caused by smoke in the street, some fans threw glass bottles at what they thought was the PSG bus, while chanting ‘F*** PSG’.
However, it turned out that the bus hit was carrying Barcelona players, not their opponents.
The fans made effort to give a hostile reception to former Barcelona player Ousmane Dembele, who now plays for PSG. The winger scored a goal during their first leg at Parc des Princes last week, but Barcelona ultimately won 3-2.
Police had to intervene to ensure the safety of the buses entering the stadium, using batons to push supporters back onto the pavement.
Before the game, approximately 2,600 PSG fans, including 400 ultras, were escorted by police up the Montjuic hill to the stadium two hours before kickoff, according to Daily Mail.
It was also reported that one PSG fan was arrested for allegedly assaulting a Barcelona supporter at around 5 p.m.
Interestingly, the violent incidents had no impact on the timing of the warm-ups or the start of the match.
PSG will now aim to finally win the Champions League title after eliminating one of the toughest rivals Barcelona as Kylian Mbappe scored twice in a 4-1 victory, progressing with a 6-4 aggregate win.
Raphinha gave Barca an early lead, but a red card for Araujo turned the tide. A comeback led by Dembele, Vitinha, and Mbappe secured PSG’s spot in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Barcelona fans were heard singing about Kylian Mbappe, who dashed the Catalans’ hopes of hoisting the Champions League trophy with a stunning brace, but some also chanted ‘die Vinicius’ ahead of Sunday’s El Clasico against Real Madrid.
Note that PSG boss Enrique, who won the Champions League as part of 2015’s treble with Barcelona, insisted ahead of the second leg that his side can overturn a first-leg European defeat for the first time in their history. And they did as he projected.
Before knocking out FC Barcelona 6-4 on aggregate, the Spanish tactician said: “PSG have never come back to win after losing a first leg, but [Tuesday] is the day. We have a very united group of players, in which there are no egos.”
What’s next for Barcelona and PSG?
Barcelona will be looking to bounce back and redeem themselves in the domestic league as they face off against their most formidable opponent, Real Madrid on Sunday, April 21.
The match promises to be intense as both teams have a long-standing rivalry that always guarantees a thrilling showdown.
On the other hand, PSG will aim to continue their reign as the top team in Ligue 1 as they go head-to-head with Lyon also on April 21.
With a strong squad and impressive form, PSG are the favorites to secure another victory and maintain their lead at the top of the table.
Do you think PSG can put an end to their European hoodoo and win the Champions League this season? Please, share your thoughts with us in the comments box below:
