PSG XI vs Man City: Mendes and Dembele return for Champions League clash

Paris Saint-Germain are set to welcome back Nuno Mendes and Ousmane Dembele for tonight's Champions League showdown against Manchester City.

Mendes and Dembele were rested for PSG's first game after the extended autumn international break, a 3-1 win over Le Mans, but have been named by Luis Enrique in the travelling squad.

In fact, Dembele was the PSG player put up for the pre-match press conference on Tuesday evening, which is a clear sign that he will start at the Etihad Stadium as he bids to get the better of former team-mate Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Dembele's praise for Donnarumma

“I've got a really excellent relationship and memory of him. He's the number one in the world. Exceptional goalkeeper,” Dembele said. “He can change an entire team with his saves.

“I missed a chance against him when we played against Italy in the international break and he made fun of me a little bit.

“He's a wonderful goalkeeper and he showed that even before he came to PSG.”

Expected changes to the starting XI

The France international is expected to replace former Man City forward Ferran Torres in attack as Enrique reverts to the team that started last season's Champions League final victory over Arsenal on penalties.

This would mean as many as eight changes from the weekend with Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Mendes, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia all returning after being rested against Le Mans.

Ilya Zabarnyi, Lucas Hernandez, Lucas Digne, Dro Fernandez, Lucas Beraldo, Mika Godts and Maghnes Akliouche are also set to make way, thus highlighting PSG's strength in depth.

Matvey Safonov is PSG's undisputed first-choice pick in between the posts and that became apparent over the course of last season as Lucas Chevalier struggled to impress despite being signed to replace Donnarumma.