Barca struggles with jump in quality

Paris Saint-Germain followed up its four goals against Manchester City with another four against Barcelona in the Champions League.

Two big tests passed and PSG's bid for a third straight title is off to a rampant start, with three wins in a row and 14 goals scored overall.

The 4-2 victory at home to five-time champion Barcelona on Tuesday followed the 4-2 win at City last week.

Home and away, PSG is showing off its attacking might, the depth of its squad and the self-belief of its players.

"I have the best players in the world, at least for me they are the best," PSG coach Luis Enrique said. "That's what I always tell them."

Despite losing Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to injury, PSG found a way through as its relentless pressure led to two late goals against previously-unbeaten Barcelona in a blockbuster match.

"We have the ability to overcome difficult situations," Enrique said. "It shows what type of team we are, with the capacity to adapt all the time. It's easier for us to keep going because we can feel the energy of our fans."

A brilliant strike from Vitinha in the 81st minute and a close-range goal from Fabian Ruiz five minutes later sealed victory for the two-time defending champion.

"We never feel like we're powerless, or that we're beaten in any way," said Desire Doue, who scored PSG's opening goal. "We always know there's an opportunity as long as the final whistle hasn't gone."

By the end, jubilant PSG fans taunted Barcelona's players with chants of "Ole!" every time they touched the ball.

Not even another mesmerizing solo goal from 19-year-old star Lamine Yamal was enough for Barcelona, as the Catalan club's 11-game winning run came to an end at Parc des Princes.

Yamal equalized for free-scoring Barcelona for the second time, with his goal in the 79th minute making it 2-2.

The 19-year-old forward chested down a botched headed clearance from substitute Warren Zaire-Emery and ghosted past him down the right flank with ease before stabbing the ball inside the post. It was the Catalan club's 50th goal in 12 games this season, 10 of them from Spain sensation Yamal.

Two minutes later, PSG was back in front, as inspirational midfielder Vitinha controlled the ball with his chest on the edge of the area and slammed a powerful shot past Joan Garcia into the bottom corner.

Doue, who scored with a fine effort late in the first half, saw his corner headed in by Lucas Hernandez in the 72nd.

Right-back Xavi Espart ran through unopposed and struck a low shot into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.

When Barcelona was on top, PSG's forwards defended from the front in a team that has grown in maturity and leadership.

"We have to highlight the work of the entire team," Doue said. "The way our defenders worked, the midfielders, the attackers, it was incredible. We all did the job today."

The only sour notes were the injuries, with captain Marquinhos also coming off in the second half.

"That's the worst thing about the game today," Enrique said. "They are three important players."

Moving closer

Midfielder Pedri said before Barcelona's clash with PSG that the game would show where his team stood in Europe. The 4-2 defeat on Tuesday suggested Hansi Flick's side still has a little way to go to match the main contenders for Europe's top title, but it is closing the gap.

Barcelona arrived in Paris with a perfect record across all competitions this season, yet there was a feeling in Spain that PSG would provide a truer measure of its credentials in the Champions League, the one major trophy that has eluded the team under Flick.

Its attacking firepower has overwhelmed opponents in La Liga, but doubts remain over whether Flick's aggressive approach leaves Barcelona exposed against stronger European sides. Those concerns resurfaced when Doue opened the scoring in the 38th minute.

"Despite today's result, we competed well," said captain Raphinha, adding that "it was a good test and shows that we can compete".

Flick struck a similarly upbeat note. "We need to analyze the match, but I saw some very good things and things that we should build upon," he said.

"I don't want to be negative; I'm feeling positive."

The German manager acknowledged that PSG was the better side. However, Barcelona avoided some of the failings that undermined its previous two European campaigns under him, particularly indiscipline and vulnerability to counterattacks.

A third successive defeat by Enrique's PSG will sting, but Barcelona returns from Paris with reasons to believe it is moving closer to the European champion.