Like a knockout round before its time. Poorly placed before their confrontation this evening (9 p.m.) at the Parc des Princes, PSG (26th, 7 points) and Manchester City (24th, 8 points) play a large part of their future in this Champions League. It’s a bit of a loss to the loser, because a defeat for one or the other (especially PSG) could place them in a very dangerous position before the final day when both clubs are aiming for nothing more, nothing less than the final victory in this competition, which City won only 18 months ago.
Fortunately for Luis Enrique, he can count on all his strong men. The Spanish coach recovers Marquinhos, hampered by his adductors in recent days, Achraf Hakimi, left to rest against Lens, and Ousmane Dembélé, ill last weekend. The three executives will probably start this evening against the English. After Bollaert’s 3-4-3, the Asturian should return to his classics with his favorite 4-3-3. Gianluigi Donnarumma will start in goal, protected by the typical PSG defense. Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes would occupy the sides, surrounding a hinge with captain Marquinhos and Willian Pacho.
Dembélé aligned at the forefront?
In the midfield trio, there is a little more uncertainty. Luis Enrique likes to confuse the issue. Aligned on the right side this weekend with little success, Warren Zaire-Emery should find a more usual position alongside Vitinha, available at low point, and it is João Neves who is well on his way to completing this association in the middle of land. Fabian Ruiz still has a chance to start. Up front, and in the absence of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, not qualified for the C1, Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué will play on the wings. Ousmane Dembélé will be at the forefront.
On the Manchester City side, a 4-2-3-1 is expected. Ederson should start in goal. The defense would be composed from right to left of the young Rico Lewis, Manual Akanji and Ruben Dias in the axis, and Josko Gvardiol in the left lane. Bernardo Silva would team up with Mateo Kovacic in the double-pivot role. At creation, the Cityzens can do very badly because the duo Phil Foden-Kevin De Bruyne is expected, while in a completely different style, Savinho would be favored by his coach to start on the left since Doku is absent. Up front, there will be no surprises with the tenure of Erling Haaland.
