The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League has undergone a format change, with top European clubs battling for qualification. At 4 AM Beijing time on January 23rd, Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain will host Premier League champions Manchester City in a crucial Group G match. This clash between two Qatari and Abu Dhabi-backed giants is pivotal for both teams' hopes of advancing to the knockout stages, as the loser risks elimination. Due to broadcasting rights, CCTV's sports channel, CCTV5, will not air this highly anticipated match.
Paris Saint-Germain, managed by Enrique, boasts an €874 million squad featuring stars such as Asensio, Dembele, Muani, Lee Kang-in, Balko, Vitiña, Marquinhos, Emery, and Hakimi. Meanwhile, Guardiola's Manchester City has a staggering €1.26 billion lineup, including Haaland, De Bruyne, Foden, Doku, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Gundogan, Savic, Dias, Ake, and Ederson. The combined value of both teams amounts to an astonishing 16.2 billion RMB.
Despite being last season's domestic league champions, both teams face different challenges in their respective leagues this term. PSG has remained unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions, sitting atop Ligue 1 with 46 points from 14 wins and four draws, comfortably ahead of second-placed Marseille by nine points. Conversely, City's Premier League campaign has been underwhelming; they currently languish in fifth place after a prolonged slump, effectively out of the title race.
In the Champions League, both teams have struggled. PSG started well with a win over Girona but then went four games without victory until their recent triumph at Red Bull Salzburg, which kept their qualification hopes alive. They now sit 25th in the standings with seven points from two wins, one draw, and three losses, having scored six goals and conceded six, just one point behind the playoff zone. Their situation is precarious.
City's European campaign has also been disappointing. After an unbeaten start with two wins and a draw in their first three games, they've since gone winless in three, accumulating eight points from two wins, two draws, and two losses. They're currently 22nd in the standings, only one point above the relegation zone. In their six games so far, they've scored 13 goals but conceded nine, showing more attacking prowess than PSG.
In terms of injuries, PSG has a full-strength squad available, while City will be without four players: Bob, Rodri, Stones, and Ake. Historically, the two teams have met seven times in European competition, with PSG winning only once, drawing twice, and losing four times. Under Guardiola, City has won three and lost one against PSG.
PSG's European form has suffered significantly since the departure of their star player, Mbappe, with the current squad unable to fill the void left by his exit. City, after a period of underperformance, has shown signs of recovery, with key players like De Bruyne, Doku, Foden, and Haaland rediscovering their form in the latest Premier League match. With Savic also in fine form, the formidable City seems to be back. Both teams are fighting for qualification, and a draw would be meaningless; thus, a decisive result is expected.