Manchester City's Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening will not be hampered by player injury, with both managers expected to field their strongest starting XIs. The match pits two European giants against each other in a blockbuster showdown.
City's comfortable win over Liverpool
The Cityzens returned to domestic action on Sunday with a 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield, although that display was marred by their ongoing financial breaches dispute with the Premier League. Enzo Maresca and his men were booed relentlessly by Liverpool supporters, and banners were displayed revealing how many fans feel cheated by City's era of dominance after allegations of foul play.
That atmosphere ultimately didn't prevent Maresca from inspiring a comfortable win on the road. Erling Haaland opened the scoring with around 30 minutes to play, with Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki sealing the deal to ensure City retained their top spot in the English top flight after six matches played.
Full squad available for both sides
In positive news for Maresca, every single one of his players is available for selection for City's return to UCL action, giving him free reign to select his strongest starting XI and bench to take on Les Parisiens. Phil Foden, who was suspended for a straight red card picked up in the Manchester derby, is available for selection, although it remains to be seen whether Maresca will utilise him.
That's especially considering the form that Cherki has found himself in as of late, the Frenchman racking up four goals and two assists in the Premier League this season so far. However, PSG are also relatively injury-free headed into the match, with Luis Enrique expected to field his strongest starting XI for the task at hand.
PSG's expected lineup and threat
While Senny Mayulu is a doubt due to a leg injury, it is unlikely Enrique would have been planning on utilising the 20-year-old midfielder, given his knack for playing his best players in the Champions League. It means that City will likely have to do battle with a midfield three of Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves, leaving Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez with their work cut out.
Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue are also expected to prove a handful for City's defence, considering the threat that the European champions harbour in attack.
Financial breaches saga continues
It comes as the world awaits the outcome of City's financial breaches saga with the Premier League. The club are accused of 'artificially inflating' their incomings through 'sham' sponsorship deals between 2009 and 2018 to comply with regulations. An independent panel presented its findings in late September, issuing City with a guilty verdict on 114 financial infractions. City soon after confirmed that they had lodged an appeal against the decision, as they continue to fight their innocence.
It means that football fans may not learn City's fate until early into the new year, although a number of suggestions have been made with regard to fitting punishments should the club's appeal fail. Former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has urged the Premier League not to expel the Cityzens from the English top flight if sanctions do come to fruition.
He explained on Viaplay at the weekend: "I think, of course, you keep them in the Premier League. But for every year they're in the Premier League, the next five years, they start on -25 points. It's also staying as a reminder to everybody else that when you cheat in the Premier League, and if you cheat all the other clubs, it's heavy."
"I think this is important: a transfer ban for five years and a big fine. And then I think the ownership should be forced to sell the club. I don't think they're fit to run this football club and they're not fit to run a football club in England. Also, I think bans for everyone who has been in on this. They cannot operate in football. Take the titles away or let them keep the titles. I don't think it matters one way or the other."
