Preview – Man City ‘v’ Paris Saint Germain (PSG)

City welcome Paris Saint Germain to the City of Manchester Stadium, hoping to cement their place at the top of Group A in the UEFA Cup. Two victories from two games against FC Twente and Schalke 04 have left City in a pole position at the summit of the group. The Blues are already guaranteed a place in the knockout stages and will now be looking to finish first so they play a side that finished third in the next round. PSG are bottom of the group at this moment in time with just a solitary point from their two games, and desperatley need a win to have any hope of qualifying for the next stage. 

The team selection will be very tricky for Blues boss Mark Hughes, who will surely have Saturday’s Premier League game with Fulham in mind. City have had a particulalry tough fixture list in recent weeks, so Hughes will be looking to rest some players. These decisions are made easier by the injuries to Robinho, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Micah Richards, along with long-term absentees Michael Johnson, Valeri Bojinov, Martin Petrov, Kelvin Etuhu and Gelson Fernandes. Brazilain flair midfielder Robinho and English winger Wright-Phillips both have ankle injuries, whilst Richards is also extremely doubtful. Pablo Zabaleta, who came on at half-time in the derby last Sunday, is another who is doubtful with a thigh injury. These enforced absentees leave Hughes with no choice but to call upon the services of players used less frequently this season. Israeli international Tal Ben-Haim is sure to be named in the starting eleven, possibly joined in the back four by Nedum Onuoha, if fit, or even Brazilian defender (if there is such a thing) Glauber Berti for his City debut. Elano is another likely to be given a chance from the start, and after disappointing in the Manchester derby, will be hoping to lead City to victory. Darius Vassell is likely to make way for young English striker Danny Sturridge, whilst there may also be a start for £19m hitman Jo in place of Benjani.

 

The visitors have no lack of experience in their side, with players such as former Chelsea favourites Claude Makélélé and Mateja Kezman, and ex-Barcelona star Ludovic Guily forming the basis of their team. They are a vastly experienced side who will be looking to remind everyone of their capabilities. They are currently in sixth position in the French league, a total of eight points behind the leaders, Lyon.

Key Battles:

Elano ‘v’ Claude Makélélé

In all likelihood, Elano will be given a start tomorrow, replacing Shaun Wright-Phillips, and it will be a fantastic opportunity for the Brazilian to show Mark Hughes of what he is capable. On his day, he is able to run the game from deep, picking out brilliant passes and setting up attacks, but his form has been below-par recently. Makelélé will be hoping to limit the effectiveness of Elano and try to snuff out any City danger by lying just in front of the back-line as a defensive shield. This is a role he played with great success at Chelsea, and he will be a key figure in the game.

Javier Garrido ‘v’ Ludovic Guily

Garrido has been one of the Blues’ most improved players this season. He has tightened up defensivley and poses a good attacking threat when he goes forward. Guily used to play for Barcelona, and despite his years, he is still a top performer.

Tal Ben-Haim ‘v’ Jérome Rothen

Ben-Haim will probably make a rare start for City and he can expect to be kept busy by Rothen, who is a pacy French winger. With the Israeli international more accustomed to playing in the centre of defence, it will be interesting to see how he fares on the right.

 

Verdict: Man City 2 – 1 Paris Saint Germain

A close encounter with City edging it by the odd goal in three. Goals for the Blues to be scored by Danny Sturridge and Elano, with Mateja Kezman pulling one back for the visitors.