Manchester City host PSG in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final clash on Tuesday night at the Etihad Stadium.
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Manchester City host PSG on Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium with the hopes of qualifying for their maiden Champions League final. The English team has a slender advantage going into the semi-final second leg following their 2-1 win at Paris last week in the semi-final first leg. PSG are looking to reach their second consecutive Champions League final after being defeated by Bayern Munich in Lisbon eight months ago. PSG’s star striker Mbappe’s fitness is a cause of concern as the 22-year old Frenchman missed their last match against Lens because of a calf injury.
Man City came from behind to beat PSG at Parc des Princes last week, courtesy of two second half goals from Kevein De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez after Marquinhos opened the scoring for PSG early on.
Pep Guardiola who has won two Champions League titles with Barcelona is looking to win his first one outside Spain. The Spanish coach wants his players to remain calm and take it as any other game.
“We don’t want to miss this opportunity. I have the feeling we are going to do well,” Guardiola said in his news conference.
“It’s the first time most of us are here together – I know what we’re playing for, in these games you don’t need much emotions – be calm and know what you have to do.
“They have to visualise they can do it. What we have to do is no different to what they’ve done in last seven months, go out there, play our game and win.”
Man City are coming into the fixture on the back of a 2-0 away victory against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
City have almost sealed the Premier League title. Therefore rested the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin de Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and Phil Foden against Crystal Palace.
City don’t have any major injury concerns going into the tie.
PSG, however, have a major concern over Kylian Mbappe’s fitness. The Frenchman has been included in the match day squad despite not being fully fit.
Mauricio Pochettino is keeping his fingers crossed. Mbappe has been PSG’s top goal scorer this season. He has scored eight goals in the competition so far, just two behind the top scorer Erling Haaland, who has 10.
“We need to assess Kylian,” said the Argentine “Today he is going to start an individual training session and see if he can be with the team. There is still one day and we will see and decide if he is going to be available.”
Neymar has been in scintillating form for PSG this season and the Brazilian has scored six goals in the competition so far. He will have a pivotal role to play if PSG are to overturn the 2-1 deficit.
Mauricio Pochettino is looking to reach his second Champion League final. The Argentine coach lead Tottenham Hotsupur to the 2019 final, beating Pep’s Man City in a thrilling quarter-final before losing to Liverpool in the final.
