PSG will test if Manchester City’s recent revival is for real | OneFootball

Manchester City have begun to look like themselves in recent games. They enter tonight’s UEFA Champions League fixture against PSG off the back of an emphatic and impressive 6-nil win over Ipswich Town. Pep Guardiola’s side will enter tonight’s match off the back of a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions. But tonight the world champions will face a stern test. Tonight’s match could prove if City’s recent revival is for real or if Pep Guardiola’s side is still some way off returning to the level we have become accustomed to seeing.

Luis Enrique’s side has a more youthful look to it than previous PSG squads. Gone are the star players like Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. In their place is a new look PSG squad. They are a more youthful lineup and they are packed with quality. With their youth and energy, especially in midfield, they could provide a stern test for Pep Guardiola’s side.

You do feel that the midfield battle will decide tonight’s match. If Manchester City can control proceedings it should set them on the path to victory. But looking at PSG’s midfield that will be no easy task. Luis Enrique’s side is full of quality in midfield. Players such as Joao Neves, Warren Zaire-Emery, Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz can pack a punch in midfield. They are all quality players blessed with tremendous technical ability. PSG’s midfield also has the energy to run all day in midfield. That does appear to be the one area of the pitch that Pep Guardiola’s side must dominate tonight.

But PSG’s midfield isn’t their only weapon. They have pace and quality up front. Bradley Barcola, Desire Doure, Ousmane Dembele, Kang-in Lee and Marco Asencio are all quality players on their day. Their threat must be contained by the City defence. They are all quick and technical players who can all decide a game on their day. There is also Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes at the full-back positions who will test Pep Guardiola’s side. All told PSG are a better side than their lowly UEFA Champions League league phase position suggests. They are once again dominating Ligue One and are a formidable outfit at home.

The French champions will prove to be a tough test for Pep Guardiola’s side. Tonight’s match will show is if Manchester City’s recent revival is for real or not. If they can leave Paris with three points it could set them up for what lies ahead. But if they don’t their Champions League campaign may be on life support heading into their final fixture against Club Brugge.