PSG vs Man City | Champions League | League Stage | Pre Match

When the Champions League draw took place earlier this season, many anticipated that Matchday 7 would feature a thrilling top-of-the-table clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City. However, the reality of the situation is far from what was expected, as both teams find themselves fighting to avoid an early exit from Europe’s most prestigious competition. As it stands, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) sit just outside the play-off places in 25th position, with Manchester City only one point ahead of them in 22nd. With the stakes incredibly high, this match has become even more crucial for both sides as they strive to secure a place in the knockout rounds. The upcoming fixture will undoubtedly have major implications for the teams’ chances of progression, and with so much on the line, neither club can afford to drop points.

The contrast in form between the two clubs leading into this match couldn’t be starker. Manchester City are coming off a difficult period in the competition, where they found themselves entrenched in their worst run of form under manager Pep Guardiola. Their most recent setback came in the form of a 2-0 loss to Juventus, a result that extended their winless streak in the Champions League to three games. The defeat was particularly damaging, as City have now lost their last two away matches in the competition, a stark contrast to their previous record of only three losses in their prior 28 away fixtures (W16 D9 L3). The last time the club experienced a worse run in Europe came under Roberto Mancini between November 2011 and December 2012, when they suffered four consecutive defeats. Guardiola, aware of this unwanted record, will be eager to avoid a repeat this time around. The pressure is mounting on the City boss, who must find a way to reverse his team’s fortunes in the competition.

A major factor in City’s recent struggles has been the absence of their influential midfielder, Rodri. Since the start of the 2019-2020 season, City have lost only three out of 49 Champions League matches with Rodri in the lineup, a remarkable win rate of 94% (W35 D11). However, without the Spanish international, their record has been far less impressive, with four defeats in just 14 matches, a worrying 29% loss rate (W7 D3). Rodri’s absence in the heart of midfield has been keenly felt, as his composure and distribution are crucial to City’s fluid attacking style. Nevertheless, Guardiola will take some solace from the fact that his team is beginning to find their rhythm again. They are unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions, including a commanding 6-0 win over Ipswich Town in their most recent Premier League outing. The return to form has been crucial for City, and they will need to build on this momentum as they head into the encounter with PSG.

On the other hand, PSG find themselves in a similarly precarious position in the Champions League, although their form in Europe has been slightly better than City’s. The Parisians come into this match having secured a much-needed 3-0 victory over Salzburg on Matchday 6, a win that was as significant for its result as for its long-overdue performance. It marked PSG’s first victory in the competition since their 2-1 win over Real Sociedad in February, and the 3-0 scoreline was their first taste of consistent success in European competition in some time. Prior to that, their record in the Champions League was a disappointing W1 D2 L4, including a sequence of unspectacular performances. The win against Salzburg gave the French club hope that they could turn their fortunes around and make a push for a place in the knockout rounds. However, PSG’s inconsistency remains a serious concern, as they have yet to string together consecutive victories in Europe since February of the previous year. Furthermore, their home form in the Champions League has been poor, with three defeats in their last five matches at the Parc des Princes (W1 D1). This is a stark contrast to their previous 17 home games in the competition, where they had only lost three times (W11 D3). These statistics will undoubtedly raise doubts about PSG’s ability to secure the points they need to advance.

Despite these issues, PSG are currently enjoying a 10-match unbeaten streak in all competitions, which provides them with a boost heading into this crucial encounter. With so much riding on the result, both teams will be determined to claim all three points. For PSG, the match represents a chance to prove their European credentials and secure a vital win that could help them avoid an early exit from the competition. With both teams sitting in the lower half of the standings, the pressure is mounting on their managers to deliver a positive result, and both will likely go all-out for victory in what promises to be an intense and high-stakes clash.

Erling Haaland, Manchester City’s lethal striker, will be key to the team’s hopes of victory. Haaland has been in excellent goalscoring form recently, netting four goals in his last four matches after going four games without scoring. With a remarkable 46 goals in 45 Champions League appearances, Haaland has proven himself to be one of the most prolific strikers in European competition. His minutes-per-goal ratio of 78 is the best of any player who has scored 15 or more goals in the Champions League, and he will be eager to continue his scoring run against PSG. Haaland’s presence in the box will be a constant threat to PSG’s defense, and City will rely on him to provide the cutting edge in front of goal.

Phil Foden is another player who has been in excellent form for City. Foden has scored five goals in his last four appearances, including back-to-back braces against Brentford and Ipswich. The English midfielder’s attacking contributions have been crucial to City’s recent success, and he will play an important role in the Champions League clash. His ability to create chances and find the back of the net will be vital in breaking down PSG’s defense. Foden’s link-up play with Haaland and other attacking players like Kevin De Bruyne will be key to City’s offensive strategy.

For PSG, their biggest attacking threats will come from Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé, who have both been involved in 16 goals in all competitions this season. Barcola, in particular, has been in excellent form, scoring 12 goals so far this campaign. His winner in PSG’s 2-1 victory over Lens in Ligue 1 at the weekend further highlighted his importance to the team. Dembélé, with 11 goals, will also be looking to add to his tally in what promises to be a crucial match for the Parisians. However, PSG’s new signing, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, will not be available for this match as only players registered prior to the start of the season’s Champions League campaign can feature in the group stage. Despite this setback, PSG will still rely on the attacking duo of Barcola and Dembélé to pose a threat to City’s defense.

Historically, PSG have struggled against Manchester City in European competition. They have won just one of their seven encounters with City in the Champions League, with two draws and four defeats. This represents their lowest win percentage against any team they have faced more than five times in Europe, with a win rate of just 14%. However, PSG did manage to defeat City in their most recent home encounter in the competition, winning 2-0 in September 2021. This victory came despite PSG managing only six shots in the match, a record low for them in a home Champions League fixture. This result offers hope for the French side, as they aim to replicate that performance and claim a vital win against City.

This will also be the fifth meeting between managers Luis Enrique and Pep Guardiola in the Champions League, with both managers having won two games apiece. However, Luis Enrique stands out as one of the few managers to have beaten Guardiola by three or more goals on multiple occasions, with a 3-0 win in May 2015 and a 4-0 win in October 2016, both during his time at Barcelona. This statistic will provide Enrique with added confidence as he prepares to face Guardiola once again, knowing that he has had success against the City boss in the past.

As both teams head into this crucial fixture, the stakes couldn’t be higher. For Paris Saint-Germain, the match offers an opportunity to rectify their Champions League campaign and prove that they can compete with Europe’s best. For Manchester City, this is a chance to put their recent troubles behind them and build on their improving form. With both clubs desperate for a win, this promises to be a thrilling encounter with plenty of drama, as they fight for their Champions League survival.