Kluivert: PSG will struggle at Barcelona

15 March 2013 16:04

Patrick Kluivert believes Paris Saint-Germain face an uphill battle in their Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona.

In an exclusive interview with Goal.com, Kluivert insists with their talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic ruled out of the first leg, and the second one being played at Camp Nou, it will be hard for the Ligue 1 side to progress.

"It's going to be very difficult. Without Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the first game in their own stadium will be difficult, but the most important thing is that they play the second game in Barcelona, playing on a pitch which is 105 metres by 68 metres," Kluivert told Goal.com.

"It's very difficult to defend on that, because if you defend in the midfield you give them more space between the lines. If you defend outside, you leave space inside, so it will be very difficult to work out how they can beat Barcelona."

The 36-year-old believes the difference in pitch size between Camp Nou and San Siro was also a key factor in the differing results in Barcelona's last-16 tie with AC Milan.

"The pitch at San Siro is a lot smaller and that wasn't good for playing their possession game," Kluivert said.

"But at Camp Nou they cut the grass with scissors – it's like a snooker table. And that's what's right for their possession game. If they are feeling good and their players are ready, you will have difficulties."

Kluivert was in Nyon to make the draw for the quarter-finals of the Europa League, and he believes an all-English final is a distinct possibility.

He said: "It's very possible because if I had drawn two English teams then one English team was already out, so it's very possible that we could have an English final."