Barcelona star Ronald Araujo waxed lyrical about PSG ace Kylian Mbappe after the sides drew each other in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The European giants are set to clash in the competition yet again, as they battle it out for a place in the semi-finals.
The Catalans overcame reigning Serie A champions Napoli in the last round 4-2 on aggregate, and are now looking to reach the last-four of the Champions League for the first time since 2019. However, it’s far easier said than done against an in-form Parisian side, led by the peerless Mbappe.
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Following Lionel Messi and Neymar’s departure last summer, Mbappe has become the focal point in the club’s squad, their sole leading man upfront, and he’s done an emphatic job so far. In 36 games, he’s scored 35 times, including 21 in Ligue 1 from 23 matches, more than anyone in the division right now.
Araujo reserved some high praise for him, calling the Frenchman the most dangerous player in one-on-one situations. He also mentioned about former Barcelona Ousmane Dembele, who will reunited with the club for the first time since leaving in 2023. The Uruguayan said:
“Mbappe is a great player and for me currently he is the most dangerous player in 1v1s. I don’t know what position I will play, but I know his quality. They also have Dembélé, who was with us. He is also good in 1v1s, and we will try to confront them.”
While Mbappe has enjoyed a terrific campaign, Dembele has struggled to produce his best for PSG. In 32 games, he’s netted just once, but has bagged 12 assists, including eight in Ligue 1, which the highest in the division right now.
UCL Draw: Kylian Mbappe has fond memories of Barcelona clash
Kylian Mbappe famously netted a hat-trick at the Camp Nou the last time PSG met Barcelona in the Champions League. The Frenchman was on fire on that day, tearing the Blaugrana’s defense to shreds with his devastating finishing as the Parisians won 4-1 in Catalonia. He followed it up with another goal in the return leg in Paris, three weeks later, as they prevailed 5-2 on aggregate in the round of 16. He surely will be eager to face them again and perhaps bag a few more goals.
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