The first phase of the redesigned Champions League is nearing its end. Ahead of the penultimate match of the group stage, two giants, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, both considered top favorites to claim the trophy before the start of Europe’s elite competition, find themselves in precarious positions and could fall below the qualification line.The Cityzens sit in 24th place, the last spot that leads to the knockout stage, while PSG are two spots behind. Tonight’s (11:00 PM) clash at the Parc des Princes is at the center of attention.City in Paris 🗼🩵#ManCity pic.twitter.com/9RddOIodK1— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 22, 2025 City have managed to secure just one point in their last three Champions League matches, while Luis Enrique’s squad boosted their chances of staying in contention for the most prestigious club trophy on the Old Continent with a 3-0 victory over Salzburg a month and a half ago.The stakes are high. The hosts must aim for all three points; otherwise, heading into the final 90 minutes, everything will no longer be in the hands of the French champions, who continue to dominate Ligue 1.Dembele: ‘Manchester is in our heads’The Cityzen’s coach kept his cards close to his chest ahead of the trip to the City of Light. As many as ten players missed Tuesday morning’s training session.Kyle Walker is on the verge of leaving Manchester and is expected to complete a transfer to AC Milan by the end of the month. John Stones is sidelined due to injury, while Nathan Ake missed the match against Ipswich and is likely not fit. Manuel Akanji didn’t play three days ago but is expected to be ready for the clash with PSG at the Parc des Princes.The start of the training session, which was open to the public, was also missed by Jeremy Doku, Oscar Bobb, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and Rico Lewis. However, most of them are expected to be available for selection.Not surprising when you look at the available first team options since Dias has returned. Injuries compound when the minutes load increases. Manchester City this season have been brittle on the pitch and off it. https://t.co/1Z8coyh0hg pic.twitter.com/sfXnDBgTgO— Sky Blue Times (@theskybluetimes) December 20, 2024 Luis Enrique can be satisfied with the team’s form. PSG are on a streak of eight consecutive victories. Over the weekend, they won 2-1 against Lens, even though the Saints’ coach rotated his squad and rested some of the key players.In recent days, Paris brought in a major reinforcement, the Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli, but of course, the dynamic winger cannot play yet. Marquinhos, Achraf Hakimi, and Ousmane Dembele are all struggling with injuries, with the winger having missed the last two matches due to illness. However, all three are expected to be fit and available for selection.Khvicha has landed! Georgian Messi arrives to Parc des PrincesThe match will also be marked by the presence of two former teammates from Nou Camp, Luis Enrique and Pep Guardiola, as both were teammates and coaches at Barcelona. While Pep left a deeper mark at the Catalan club as a coach, we could say that Enrique made his legacy as a player.The Parisian’s coach mentioned that the encounter with his friend would be special for him.”Pep has perfected Barcelona’s 4-3-3 system at City. He is a role model, a unique coach who revolutionized football. We both love to attack, defend well, but above all, we attack. We have a similar vision. Pep is not afraid of new ideas,” Enrique emphasized.❤ Pep Guardiola : “J’aime tout de Luis Enrique” pic.twitter.com/IeiBMwSLOl— RMC Sport (@RMCsport) January 21, 2025 On the other hand, his compatriot emphasizes that, in addition to this match, the final game of the group stage, in which the Cityzens face Club Brugge, is also of great importance.“Of course it is a really important game for us and PSG but we have another game against Bruges at home. I know winning the two games mathematically we will be there but maybe with just one victory too,” Guardiola said during a press conference at the Parc des Princes.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND 7TuesdayMonaco – Aston Villa 1-0 (1-0)/Singo 8/Atalanta – Sturm Graz 5-0 (1-0)/Retegui 12, Pasalic 58, De Ketelaere 63, Lookman 90, Brescianini 90+5/Atletico Madrid – Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 (0-1)/Alvarez 52, 90 – Hincapie 45+1/Benfica – Barcelona 4-5 (3-1)/Pavlidis 2, 22, 30 pen, Araujo 68 og – Lewandowski 13 pen, 78 pen, Raphinha 64, 90+6, Garcia 86/Bologna – Borussia Dortmund 2-1 (0-1)/Dallinga 71, Junior 72 – Guirassy 15 pen/Club Brugge – Juventus 0-0Crvena zvezda – PSV 2-3 (0-3)/Ndiaye 71, Djiga 78 – De Jong 17, Til 23, Flamingo 43/Liverpool – Lille 2-1 (1-0)/Salah 34, Elliot 67 – David 62/Slovan Bratislava – Stuttgart 1-3 (0-2)/Metsoko 85 – Leweling 11,34, Rieder 87/Wednesday20:45: (2.85) Leipzig (3.70) Sporting (2.45)20:45: (2.70) Shakhtar (3.10) Brest (2.75)23:00: (7.75) Sparta Praha (4.50) Inter (1.42)23:00: (1.12) Arsenal (11.0) Dinamo Zagreb (22.0)23:00: (1.38) Celtic (5.40) Young Boys (8.50)23:00: (6.75) Feyenoord (5.00) Bayern (1.43)23:00: (1.48) Milan (4.65) Girona (7.25)23:00: (2.50) PSG (3.80) Man City (2.75)23:00 (1.08) Real Madrid (14.0) RB Salzburg (30.0)***odds are subject to change***
