MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Manchester United's remarkable recovery to eliminate Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16 has instilled a belief they can also end Barcelona's European dreams.
The Spanish champions travel to Old Trafford on Wednesday (April 10) for the first leg of their quarter-final tie aiming to take another step closer to a third treble of La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey since 2009.
United have the onerous task of stopping an in-form Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, but Solskjaer is confident his side have learned from their mistakes in losing 2-0 at home to PSG before pulling off a miraculous 3-1 victory in Paris to progress on away goals.
"I can feel the tension, the excitement. I felt the mood ahead of PSG home game was different. We have learnt from that PSG game," said the Norwegian, who was appointed United's new permanent manager last month after a highly successful caretaker spell in charge.
"Of course when you get Barcelona, with the quality of their team, we know we need to step up our game.
"We know we need to perform to our best levels, which we didn't against PSG at home. The outcome of the second leg against PSG has given the players and supporters belief that the same is possible against Barcelona."
United's comeback at the Parc des Princes was even more remarkable as Solskjaer was without 10 first-team players.
He is short-handed once more with Ander Herrera, Antonio Valencia and Eric Bailly absent through injury.
However, Solskjaer is hopeful that Marcus Rashford and Nemanja Matic will be fit despite failing to take a full part in training on Tuesday.
"He needed an extra warm-up and hopefully he won't get a reaction," said Solskjaer on Rashford's fitness.
"Let's see tomorrow, but hopefully he can be ready."
Paul Pogba will return from suspension after being sent-off in the first leg defeat to PSG.
Pogba has yet to truly shine on the Champions League stage for United, but amid speculation that the French World Cup winner could be tempted by a summer move to Real Madrid, Solskjaer called on the club's record signing to focus on his job tomorrow and rise to the big occasion.
"At Paul's best he can run a game like this," said Solskjaer.
"Paul is looking forward to tomorrow. He is a Manchester United player and he is one of our big performers on the big stage.
"He knows the game against PSG was not his greatest moment. He is only focused on tomorrow playing well against Barcelona and I cannot see him not playing for Manchester United next season."
Pele to have urinary tract surgery in Brazil: hospital AFP April 10, 2019 AFP No Comments Sao Paulo (AFP) - Pele will have an operation to remove a 'ureteral stone,' his doctors said Wednesday, a day after the football great returned to Brazil following treatment in a Paris hospital for an infection.
Pele To Have Urinary Tract Surgery In Brazil Hospital
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Pele will have an operation to remove a 'ureteral stone,' his doctors said Wednesday, a day after the football great returned to Brazil following treatment in a Paris hospital for an infection. The 78-year-old was admitted to the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo for more tests after arriving in Brazil early Tuesday.
Pele to have urinary tract surgery in Brazil: hospital
Dutch not favourites against struggling Germany - Van Dijk. The Dutch beat the Germans 3-0 at home last October and came from behind with two late goals to force a 2-2 draw away in Gelsenkirchen
Van Dijk: Dutch not favourites against struggling Germany | IOL
Infantino welcomes joint Korean 2023 Women's World Cup bid
Defoe has joined Rangers on loan But has now snapped up the 36-year-old - who has been allowed to leave Bournemouth in search of first-team football. The deal includes two recall options in summer
Rangers 'agree loan deal' to sign Jermain Defoe from Bournemouth
Manchester City net two late goals to register a dramatic 3-2 victory over Schalke 04 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Germany. However, Leroy Sane came off the bench to
Champions League: Leroy Sané haunts Schalke as City stage
Cardiff dealt major blow in survival bid (1:18) Ryan Babel's screamer for Fulham left Neil Warnock's Cardiff teetering on the brink of relegation from the Premier League.
Babel strike leaves Cardiff on brink of relegation - Sports
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12:09 PM ET * Cardiff on brink of relegation after 1-0 defeat at Fulham * Ryan Babel scored winner with ferocious 25-yard shot * Fulham's third win in a row equalled their Premier League best * Game delayed after Fulham's Odoi knocked out by team mate * Fulham striker Mitrovic blazed over bar from 12
Babel strike leaves Cardiff on brink of relegation
Copa del Rey: Sergio Ramos' double puts Real Madrid within sight of the semi-finals Description: Real Madrid beat Girona 4-2 in a thrilling first leg of the La Copa. Santiago Solari said football never lets up, now comes Espanyol on Sunday.
Sergio Ramos double puts Real Madrid within sight of the semi
LONDON (AFP) - Cardiff claim they are stunned by a report that the pilot in the plane crash that killed Emiliano Sala was not qualified to fly at night.. The English Premier League football club said they remain "deeply concerned" that the pilot David Ibbotson and those who arranged the flight "seemingly completely disregarded the rules of flying and put Mr Sala's life in such danger".
FAS Programmes TV, Calendrier, Résultats, Actualités, Équipe
Football: Singapore Premier League club Warriors barred from
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on June 09, 2019, with the headline 'Ozil courts controversy again'.
Chaser Courts Controversy Again - YouTube
LIVERPOOL, England - Goals from Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino earned Liverpool a 2-0 win over Porto on Tuesday as Juergen Klopp's side took the upper hand in their Champions League quarter-final tie without killing off their Portuguese opponents.
Keita, Firmino give Liverpool 2-0 win over Porto | Free
Kompany said he realised the time was right to leave when he scored a stunning winner against Leicester in City's penultimate league match. The 1-0 win took City to within one more win of the title, which they clinched with a 4-1 victory over Brighton on the last day.
Vincent Komany: Best City memories - Manchester City FC
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