Why PSG’s Push to Eliminate Barcelona, Liverpool From Champions League Faces Obstacles | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain cruised to a 3-0 win over Stade Brestois in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off on Tuesday night at Stade de Roudourou, with Ousmane Dembélé scoring twice.

Unless Brest pulls off a remarkable comeback, PSG are set to face either Barcelona or Liverpool in the Round of 16. The Parisians took the lead early, with Vitinha converting a penalty. Dembélé doubled PSG’s advantage just before halftime, scoring his 14th goal of 2025.

The goal was set up with a swift one-touch pass from João Neves to Achraf Hakimi, who made a run down the right. Neves then played the ball to Dembélé, who cut inside on his left foot and fired a powerful shot past Bizot at the near post.

Dembélé continued his excellent form in the second half, grabbing his second goal in the 66th minute. A one-two with Bradley Barcola didn’t quite come off, but with Brest’s defense giving him space, the 27-year-old charged forward and finished to make it 3-0, taking his tally to 15 goals for the year.

Now, the question is, can PSG eliminate Barcelona or Liverpool?

Julien Laurens weighs in on PSG’s prospects in Round of 16

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On Tuesday, ESPN’s Julien Laurens was asked whether he sees Luis Enrique and his team pulling off the upset against Barcelona or Liverpool in the next phase of the competition.

“I think they are a serious threat to anyone,” Laurens said on ESPN FC. “We saw that, especially in the last two, two and a half months, when they really clicked. This is a wonderful team—a very young one. That’s why I don’t think they are quite ready to beat Liverpool over two legs, with the second leg away from home.

“We don’t know yet whether Barcelona or Liverpool will be their opponent, but we know for sure the second leg will be away from Paris, while the first leg will be at the Parc des Princes.”

Despite the strides PSG are taking under Luis Enrique, Laurens stresses that he doesn’t believe they are ready for a big test and that their youth might get them exposed.

“The intensity is great,” Laurens added. “They run more than any PSG team has ever run before, and Luis Enrique is getting them where he wants them to be. Great. But are they good enough to beat Barcelona over two legs?

“I still don’t think so. Liverpool, even less so. So it will be a massive test and a huge step up for them. But this is not a team that’s supposed to win the Champions League this season.

“It’s for next year or the year after because, as I said, they’re still so young. We’ll have to see. But I think they will really relish the challenge and go for it. And if you’re Liverpool or Barcelona, you’re not going to enjoy facing them over two games.”