Barcelona make little-known Champions League history during defeat to PSG
Barcelona created a little-known piece of Champions League history during their 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes.
Hansi Flick's side suffered their first defeat in any competition this season despite coming from behind twice in the second half.
Goals from Xavi Espart, a La Masia graduate who has broken into Barca's first team on a regular basis this season, and Lamine Yamal made it 2-2 after Desire Doue and Lucas Hernandez had twice put PSG in front. But late goals from Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz, in the final 10 minutes of normal time, sealed a hard-fought victory for Luis Enrique's side.
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Barcelona make Champions League history vs PSG
Despite the disappointment of their defeat, Flick's team selection decisions have ultimately made Barcelona the new holders of an incredible Champions League record.
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As per OptaJoe, they are now the first and only club in Champions League history to name a starting XI that includes four teenagers against the reigning holders of the competition.
Along with Espart and Yamal, both Pau Cubarsi and Marc Bernal were named in the XI by the German head coach. Bernal and Espart were both substituted during the second half.
Barca could have introduced two more teenagers if they had chosen to, with 18-year-old defender Alex Campos and striker Hamza Abdelkarim on the bench. But both were unused substitutes; Egypt international Abdelkarim has made two appearances for Les Cules in all competitions this term, while Spain youth international Campos is yet to debut and has been playing in the UEFA Youth League for Barcelona B this season.
La Masia has taken on even more significance for Barca amid their recent financial issues, with players graduating to the first team or, in some cases, being sold elsewhere to raise vital funds.
Who do Barcelona play next?
Barca will look to continue their perfect record in La Liga when they take on Real Madrid in the latest instalment of El Clasico on Sunday.
They are already six points clear of Real, who sit in third place, though that will be of little consolation if they taste defeat to Jose Mourinho's side at the Bernabeu on Sunday.
They will, at least, not have to take on Vinicius Junior, who is serving the second match of his four-game ban for pulling the hair of midfielder Nathan Saliba during a 1-0 win over Villarreal earlier this month.
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Barca are back in Champions League action on November 3 when they face English opposition for the first time this season in the form of Aston Villa.
Unai Emery's side are now one of only seven clubs to have a perfect record in the Champions League this season; though out of those seven clubs, only PSG and Liverpool have played three matches.
Topics:Ā FC Barcelona, Champions League, PSG
Ryan Smart