Paris Saint-Germain will play several top clubs in the UEFA Champions League this season, including Arsenal FC, FC Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, and perhaps the most difficult challenge will be a home match against Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s squad is not only favored to win the Premier League, but many are using their 20bet bonus code and picking City to win the Champions League as well. They won the title in 2023, while PSG has yet to lift the most coveted trophy in club football. Both will face off in the on January 22, 2024 on matchday seven of the League Phase and could determine if PSG finishes in the top eight, or if they have to play in the knockout stage.
When Manchester City and PSG face off, some of the most talented footballers in Europe will be on the pitch, but what would a combined starting lineup look like? Let’s start in goal.
Gianluigi Donnarumma and Ederson are two of the best goalkeepers in the world. Any club would love to have these players, but one is clearly better. Ederson is a better all around goalkeeper and he has proven to be elite under pressure. Donnarumma is a fantastic shot-stopper, but he’s not good with the ball at his feet and he has made mistakes in the Champions League with PSG.
On defense, PSG’s Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes are the two top full-backs. Kyle Walker is a fantastic right-back, but Hakimi is the slightly better player. At center-back, the Manchester City duo of Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias get the start over PSG’s Marquinhos and Willian Pacho.
PSG and Manchester City’s midfield have a lot of talent, and it’s difficult to pick just three players. Let’s remove Rodri from the equation because he, unfortunately, is out for the season due to a knee injury. João Neves has five assists in his first six Ligue 1 matches and has to be included in the combined starting XI. His compatriot, Bernardo Silva, is another player I rate highly and would get the start in my combined lineup. Finally, and this might be a controversial pick, but I would go with Ilkay Gundogan. He’s the definition of consistency and would anchor my midfield.
There’s a lot of attacking talent in the two teams as well. Let’s start with the easiest choice, which is Erling Haaland at striker. He’s the best in the world at the position and PSG will have a lot of trouble slowing him down when they meet later this season.
That leaves the two winger positions. Much like Neves, I have to go with Bradley Barcola on the left wing based on his current form, where he has six goals through six Ligue 1 matches. On the right wing, Ousmane Dembélé would get the start. While he does struggle in front of goal, there’s no denying his ability dribble past defenders and work his way into dangerous positions on the pitch. When he has the ball, you’re on the edge of your seat because you know something exciting is going to happen.
Looking at the combined squad, there are six Manchester City players and five PSG players. If that’s any indication, we should be in for an exciting fixture in just a few months time.