Barcelona to Host PSG in Champions League at Olympic Stadium

 Barcelona’s upcoming Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will be played at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, because Camp Nou is still under renovation. 

The match is scheduled for October 1, 2025 at 9:00 pm local time. 

PSG enters with injury problems: their key defender Marquinhos has been sidelined with a thigh issue.  The Barcelona side is also struggling with absences, including Raphinha and Gavi, which may force tactical changes.  

In previews, analysts predict a tactical battle. Barcelona might try to control possession and dominate the midfield, while PSG could aim to catch Barça on the counterattack using their speed.   Historically, the Barcelona–PSG clash has produced dramatic matches — such as the famous “remontada” in 2017, when Barcelona overturned a 4–0 first-leg deficit by winning 6–1 at home.  

For Barcelona, hosting this game is significant. They hope to win at “home” (though in a different stadium) to send a message of resilience. For PSG, away success would strengthen their title defence.
Which team will adapt better to their circumstances — that is one of the central questions for this match.

1.Comprehension questions

  1. Why is Barcelona not playing at Camp Nou for this match?

  2. When and where will the match take place?

  3. Name two injuries that are affecting PSG and Barcelona.

  4. What tactical approaches are predicted for each team?

  5. What historical match is mentioned, and why is it significant?

  6. What is a key question analysts are raising about this upcoming game?

2.Vocabulary matching (12 items)

Match the word on the left with the correct definition on the right.

A. WordB. Definition
1. renovationa. to remove players from a team because of injury
2. injuryb. a match played at the opponent’s stadium
3. sidelinedc. the process of improving or repairing something (e.g. a stadium)
4. tacticald. Very important and unforgettable
5. midfielde. relating to strategy in a game or contest
6. awayf. harm or damage to the body (e.g. muscle, leg)
7. historicalg. an area between defence and attack in a football team
8. adapth. a return or comeback from a bad situation
9. resiliencei. to change or adjust to new conditions
10. messagej. a communication, idea, or signal sent to people
11. dramatick. very emotional, sudden, or exciting



3.Synonym matching (10 items)

Match each word (left) with a synonym (right).

A. WordB. Synonym
1. upcominga. alter
2. affectb. spectacular
3. predictc. imminent
4.  forced. influence
5. adapte. forecast
6. dramaticf. transform
7. significantg. oust / overturn
8. improveh. meaningful
9. overthrowi. better



4.Post-reading communicative tasks & discussion

What do you know about the history of PSG club and the history of F.C. Barcelona?

  • Which team do you think has the advantage, and why?

  • How do injuries affect a team’s performance in big matches?

  • If you were the coach, what tactics would you use with your team (Barcelona or PSG)?

  • Can you think of other famous football matches with dramatic comebacks or “miracles”?

  • Does playing in a non-home stadium affect team morale or performance? In what ways?

After ~5 minutes discussion, ask some groups to share their main ideas with the class.

5.Role play / simulation

Setup: Students pair up or work in groups of three. Assign roles, for instance:

  • Coach of Barcelona

  • Coach of PSG

  • Football journalist

  • Fan of Barcelona

  • Fan of PSG

(You can combine roles so you have fewer participants; e.g. one student is journalist interviewing the two coaches, or coach vs fan debate.)

Tasks:

  1. Pre-match press conference simulation:

    • Journalist asks each coach: “What is your strategy for this match?,” “How will you deal with injuries?,” “What concerns you about the opponent?”

    • Coaches must respond, reference the article information and make predictions.

  2. Fan debate:

    • Barcelona fan tries to convince PSG fan (or vice versa) why their team will win.

    • Use arguments about tactics, injuries, history, stadium, etc.

  3. Post-match “report”:

    • Students imagine the match is over (they decide hypothetical score)

    • Journalist interviews coaches & fans about what happened, what decisions made the difference, surprises, etc.

Encourage students to use some of the new vocabulary from the vocabulary section.

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