Gordon's PSG admission: "They had a huge advantage against Barcelona"

Anthony Gordon claimed Paris Saint-Germain had "a huge advantage" in their Champions League clash with Barcelona after resting their key players in Ligue 1.

PSG beat Barça 4-2 in the most recent meeting between the two giants, ending the 11-match winning run with which Hansi Flick's side had started the season. The Catalan club twice drew level through goals from Xavi Espart and Lamine Yamal, but could not prevent late strikes from Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz and left the pitch empty-handed.

Ahead of the big game, the French side faced Strasbourg in Ligue 1 and rested every outfield player from their starting XI except Lucas Hernández, João Neves and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Gordon said PSG's rotation played a major part in their victory:

"I think we're a great team and on a good day we can beat anyone. The PSG game had a different context; they rested almost their entire team in the league match. We didn't have that luxury, and we were really tired during the game. That's normal, and we have to take responsibility, but it's clear it gave them a massive advantage."

Barcelona, who host Aston Villa in the Champions League on Tuesday, are aiming to bounce back in that fixture. In the two sides' four meetings between 1978 and 1983, Barça went unbeaten in the first three matches (2 wins, 1 draw) before losing the last one 3-0 in the second leg of the UEFA Super Cup.

Gordon, the former Newcastle United and Everton winger who joined the Catalan giants in the summer transfer window, will face an English side for the first time since his move. The star player said this does not give him any extra motivation:

"My motivation is always at the highest level. The fact that the opponent is an English team doesn't give me any extra motivation. They're a very high-quality side and they have one of the best head coaches in the world. A very tough 90 minutes awaits us."