For so long it has been said that the ‘Holy Grail’ for Paris Saint-Germain was winning the Champions League and yet it seems further away than ever this season.
Despite years of investment from the club’s Qatari owners – and the best efforts of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe – the trophy never made it to the French capital.
A new approach, with an emphasis on home-grown players, has not really worked and Luis Enrique’s side go into tomorrow’s home game against Manchester City in 25th place in the extended table. If they finish there after round eight, they will be out of contention and the wait will continue for another year.
A look at their remaining two games suggests this is a distinct possibility.
First up is a City side seemingly back on track after a dismal pre-Christmas run. The English champions languish in 22nd place and need wins themselves to secure a place in the play-offs. The 6-0 demolition of Ipswich at the weekend and, perhaps just as importantly, the optimism they showed at Portman Road suggested that Pep Guardiola has found a solution and should finish the season strongly.
City are followed by a trip to a Stuttgart side who are fourth in the Bundesliga and who will likely drop points.
PSG – Manchester City Team News
PSG defender Marquinhos could return from a groin problem and Ousmane Dembele is fit after illness.
New signing Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia is not eligible.
Nathan Ake missed the weekend clash with Ipswich through injury and his availability is not known. Ruben Diaz returns but John Stones remains on the sidelines.
Kyle Walker is in the process of negotiating a move away from the Etihad, meaning Mateus Nunes could once again start at right-back.
