Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain will play in the penultimate round of the league phase on Wednesday evening in a direct duel for a place in the Champions League.
22.01.2025, 05:30
22.01.2025, 06:51
SDA
The league phase, which is being played for the first time, is not as easy as expected for the supposedly best teams. While surviving the group stage was a formality in each case, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Real Madrid are now fighting for a place in the top 24. An unfavorable draw and a slump in form have put the champions from France, England and Spain in an uncomfortable position.
Paris Saint-Germain have already missed out on a direct place in the round of 16. Worse still, Luis Enrique's team are currently in 25th place with just seven points from their first six games, outside the places that entitle them to participate in the knockout round. "Pressure? Why?", Enrique asked when asked about the importance of the home game against Manchester City and assured: "We don't feel any pressure."
Despite the composure of the Spanish coach, an exit in the preliminary round would be a new low for PSG in their relationship with the Champions League, which has already brought the French side a number of disappointments under Qatari management. However, the Parisians' situation is not yet hopeless. A win against Manchester City would see them leapfrog the English side, who have just one point more to their name. PSG then face Stuttgart away from home next week.
Spanish clash
Manchester City have bounced back after a difficult few weeks and a long run without a win, most recently beating Ipswich Town 6-0 in the Championship. In Paris, Manuel Akanji and Co. will have to confirm this. A defeat would put coach Pep Guardiola's team in a very uncomfortable position ahead of the final league game of the season at home to FC Brugge.
For the most part, Enrique refrained from discussing possible scenarios or problems for the two teams. The 54-year-old spoke more about how pleased he was to be facing Guardiola - a friend with whom he has shared many experiences as a player and coach. The fact that, in addition to the duel between the two Spanish coaches, it is also a test of strength between the owners from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, who are enemies of each other, gives the match an additional explosive element.
Real Madrid meets Salzburg
Defending champions Real Madrid are also in an uncomfortable position in 20th place. However, a home win against Salzburg on Wednesday would probably be a big step towards the knockout rounds before the resurgent Kylian Mbappé and his team-mates visit surprise Breton side Brest next week. The latter have collected four more points than Real Madrid so far.
