Battered Barca begins inquest

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets criticized his team's tactical and physical frailties after the Catalans crashed to a 4-0 Champions League last-16 thrashing at Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

The humiliating loss left the five-time European champion on the brink of its earliest exit from the competition in a decade.

Barca was crushed in every aspect of the first-leg clash as an Angel Di Maria brace and goals from Julian Draxler and Edinson Cavani inflicted its heaviest European loss since 2013 and under coach Luis Enrique, who seemed rattled as he faced the media at a jubilant Parc des Princes afterward.

"PSG played much better than us and they overwhelmed us physically," Busquets told TV3.

Paris Saint-Germain's Angel Di Maria rejoices after firing the first of his two goals in Tuesday's stunning 4-0 victory over Barcelona in their UEFA Champions League last-16, first-leg match at Parc des Princes in the French capital. Christian Hartmann / Reuters

"They pressed us harder, they were much better tactically, they had a plan and executed it how they wanted to and were the better team".

Busquets was also unhappy with Barca's preparation.

"We expected something else, but that's what can happen," added the Spain international.

"We hope to turn things around at Camp Nou, but I can't lie, it's very difficult."

An irritable Enrique cut his TV3 interview short with: "Stop looking for more reasons. This is my responsibility and I hope you use the same tone now we have lost as when we win."

In his news conference, Luis Enrique said his side was "utterly outplayed", although he denied it was ill-prepared for PSG's high-pressing game.

"We weren't surprised at all, we had spoken about their pressing before the game but that doesn't mean you can overcome it.

"We lost so many individual duels. PSG played as we expected and played at its best and we did not," he said.

"It's pretty simple. Our opponents were better than us, with and without the ball. They won battles, were more effective, and the result clearly reflects that.

"I don't think I have to give a huge explanation to the fans."

Barca midfielder Andres Iniesta was handed his first start in a month following an ankle injury alongside Busquets, who had also only recently returned from a layoff, while defender Gerard Pique is not long back after a muscle problem.

"Some players had just recovered, but I don't want to individualize, now is not the time," said Enrique.

"I have every confidence in my players, it's time to talk about coaches and I assume full responsibility for this, as always.

"The players are the same ones that won on other days."

Pep's prayers for Jesus in vain

Manchester City scoring sensation Gabriel Jesus has broken his foot, the club announced on Tuesday, sparking fears the Brazilian could miss the rest of the season.

The 19-year-old striker, who has three goals in five games since joining City in January, sustained a fractured metatarsal bone in Monday's 2-0 victory at Bournemouth, which lifted City to second in the Premier League.

Jesus was substituted in the 15th minute and City manager Pep Guardiola said after the match he was "praying" the damage would not be serious, but the Spaniard's worst fears appear to have been realized.

It is not yet known how long Jesus will be sidelined.

"He will undergo further examinations in the coming days to establish the extent of his layoff," said a City statement.

British media said a scan on Tuesday revealed the fracture.

Jesus was pictured walking in Manchester with a protective boot.

City paid Brazilian club Palmeiras an initial $33 million for Jesus, who sniped one goal in a 4-0 win at West Ham and two to earn a 2-1 victory at home to Swansea.

He was on track to become the third City player - after Emmanuel Adebayor and Kevin de Bruyne - to score in each of his first three league starts.

AFP