Ahead of Barcelona’s ‘mission impossible’ in Wednesday night’s Champions League last 16 second-leg tie against Paris Saint Germain, there was a consensus around the Camp Nou that any hopes of overturning the 4-0 first leg deficit rested on the shoulders of one man.

Just weeks ago it seemed that Barcelona were set to do something unique — a ‘double treble’ by retaining the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey trophies they won last season.

Nobody in Madrid was getting too carried away after Xabi Alonso’s double strike saw Spain beat France 2-0 in Donetsk.