PSG
Lionel Messi is expected to play for PSG on Tuesday. He took part in the training sessions before the game. Messi missed two Ligue 1 games with a bruised knee. However, he did not appear to be struggling with the injury on Monday.
Pochettino confirmed Messi is in the squad for the game. However, the Argentine did not confirm of his colleague’s presence in the starting XI. When asked about that Pochettino replied that the starting eleven will be decided before the game.
In the press conference Pochettino said,
“We will confirm the starting 11 tomorrow, but I think he will be in the squad tomorrow.”
He also said that Messi will need time to adjust in Paris. He said,
“Messi did 20 years in Barcelona, it’s normal he felt at home there and here, everything is new for him. He did not arrive a long time ago,”
Pochettino also confirmed Italian Marco Verratti could play a part in the game. The Midfielder missed four games through a knee injury.
Manchester City
Meanwhile, for Manchester City, Ilkay Gundogan will not be fit for the match. The German international suffered a knock against Southampton earlier in September. He is expected to return only after the next international break. Other than that, Oleksandr Zinchenko is the other absentee with a calf problem.
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Pep Guardiola must decide his starting XI with the Liverpool game on the weekend in his mind. Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling could start against PSG after coming late as a substitute against Chelsea on Saturday.
Stats
PSG opened their Champions League campaign with a 1-1 draw against Club Brugge. Meanwhile, City secured a thumping 6-3 win over Leipzig at Manchester.
The French side has never won against Manchester City in the European competition. This will be the sixth time both teams meet. The city has won three and the other two games have been drawn.
