For so long it has been said that the ‘Holy Grail’ for Paris Saint-Germain is winning the Champions League, yet this season it seems to be further away than ever.
Despite years of heavy investment by the club’s Qatari owners – and great efforts from Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe – the trophy never made it to the French capital.
The new approach, with a focus on domestic players, did not quite work and Luis Enrique’s team enters tomorrow night’s home match with Manchester City in 25th place in the extended table. If they finish there after the eighth round, they will be out of the competition and the wait will last another year.
A look at their two remaining games shows that to be a distinct possibility.
It is the first team from City to seemingly get back on track after a poor run of form before Christmas. The English champions are languishing in 22nd place and need wins themselves if they want to secure a place in the play-offs. Their 6-0 demolition of Ipswich at the weekend and, perhaps just as importantly, the swagger they displayed at Portman Road suggested Pep Guardiola had found a solution and they should finish the season strongly.
City will be followed by a visit to the Stuttgart team, which is fourth in the Bundesliga and will probably fight for points.
Team news PSG vs Manchester City
PSG defender Marquinhos could return from a groin problem and Ousmane Dembele is fit after illness.
New signing Khvitch Kvaratskhelia does not qualify.
Nathan Ake missed the weekend clash with Ipswich through injury and his availability is unknown. Ruben Dias is back, but John Stones remains on the sidelines.
Kyle Walker is in the process of negotiating a move away from the Etihad, meaning Matheus Nunes could start again at right-back.
PSG vs Manchester City Expected lineups
