Barca targets PSG 'miracle'

BARCELONA - Ivan Rakitic believes "a miracle" is possible when Barcelona attempts to overturn a 4-0 first leg deficit against Paris Saint-Germain in its Champions League last 16 tie on Wednesday.

No side in Champions League history has ever rebounded from four goals down, but Barca hopes were raised by the sensational form of Lionel Messi in Saturday's 5-0 rout of Celta Vigo.

"We will give everything from the first minute to the last," the Croatian international told Spanish TV station Movistar.

"We will try ... and hopefully we can produce a miracle."

Messi scored two incredible individual goals to open and close the scoring as Barca remained one point clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

The five-time World Player of the Year also had a hand in the other three goals as he teed up Neymar for a sensational chip and crossed for Samuel Umtiti to score his first Barca goal. Rakitic was also on the scoresheet, courtesy of Messi.

In its first outing since coach Luis Enrique announced he will step down at the end of the season, Barca produced arguably its best performance of the campaign.

The Catalans also smashed Sporting Gijon 6-1 in their previous outing.

Enrique said he couldn't have wished for a better build-up to the ultimate challenge on Wednesday.

"That it is one of our best performances in the last few months is without doubt," he said.

"If I had to choose the way in which we would go into the Champions League game against PSG, it would be very similar to these last two games - scoring lots of goals, the team gaining confidence and the players getting stronger.

"I think we are in great form for a very difficult tie that is not yet lost.

"I am sure we are going to have opportunities to get ourselves back in it and we will try until the death."

The crowd at Camp Nou repeatedly chanted Enrique's name on Saturday. Banners were also raised towards the end of the match, willing Barca's players to believe in a comeback against PSG.

"The fans value a lot what these players have won, the hunger they have and what they show in every game," said Enrique.

"In my time here I have never once seen a poor attitude in any of my players.

"Barca fans should be loyal and, above all, have confidence that the team can come back."

Agence France-Presse