PSG Face Manchester City in Champions League: Opposition Preview

On Wednesday night, we will see the PSG attention shift back to the UEFA Champions League, as Luis Enrique's side will take on Manchester City on match day two of the league phase. 

Now, this would already be a special game - even in the league phase - but this one even more so, as it is the first home game for City since they were found guilty of 114 charges by the Premier League. 

On Sunday, they spoiled the party for Liverpool as the away side at Anfield, winning the game 3-0. Let's hope that PSG can do similar and spoil their party for the first game at the Etihad since the news. 

Either way, what can we expect from City on Wednesday? 

It is hard to put all of the off pitch noise aside, considering every game that they play could be legally considered as null and void. But, if we just hypothetically do that for a moment, it has been a very positive start to life under Enzo Maresca. 

City currently sit top of the Premier League with six wins from six, the only team with a perfect record so far, and one of just three teams yet to taste defeat in the competition to date. 

However, the performances have not been absolutely perfect. On the opening weekend against Bournemouth, they were behind for a lot of the game, and needed goals in the 84th and 91st minutes to get all three points. 

Another one of their wins was by the odd goal at home to newly promoted Coventry City, winning the game 1-0 in a game that the visitors had plenty of chances in. The result aged worse when Coventry lost 6-0 at home the following weekend too. 

Whilst their 1-0 win against Manchester United showed brilliant character with ten men, the goal scored by Erling Haaland should have been disallowed for offside, something the Premier League admitted within hours after the game. 

Then, the following weekend they defeated Sunderland 5-3 at home, in a game they looked much better in going forwards, but looked much, much worse at the back. Aside from the three goals, Sunderland had a whopping eight big chances (to City's 3), and felt aggrieved not to go home with anything. 

To finish off, whilst the 3-0 win over Liverpool does look good, and it was, especially with all the narrative. But it was 0-0 when Ryan Gravenberch was sent off in the second half, and Maresca's side had only accumulated 0.17xG to that point, in a game where Liverpool were without a number of starters through injury. 

So, what I am saying is that there are definitely ways for PSG to hurt City. They can definitely be got at defensively. They are too proud to sit back, especially at home, so there will be spaces for the likes of Ousmane Dembele to exploit. When he drops deep as the false nine, there will be space in behind for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue to run in behind and hurt the City backline. 

Typically, the type of forwards that can hurt them the most, PSG probably slightly lack. For example, Brian Brobbey, an absolute physical beast scored a hat-trick for Sunderland and absolutely bullied Ruben Dias. PSG don't really have that sort of player. Furthermore, pace out wide can hurt them, Liverpool winger Victor Munoz was having some joy down the right hand side. 

However, again, the players Enrique has at his disposal have different qualities. All four of Kvaratskhelia, Doue, Maghnes Akliouche and Mika Godts are more ball to feet players. Still, there will be opportunities for them, so let's see.