PSG v Manchester City team update: Toure and Verratti ruled out

Manchester City will be without the services of midfielder Yaya Toure when they take on Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday.

City manager Manuel Pellegrini confirmed ahead of the game that Toure has been ruled out due to a knee injury. He was quoted as saying by Manchester City’s official website, “Yaya has a problem with his knee so he is not able to play.”

However, in good news for Manchester City supporters, Pellegrini said that first choice goalkeeper Joe Hart has been cleared to play on Wednesday night.

“Hart has worked without any problem in the last day,” said the Chilean. “He has had medical and physical tests and has no problems to play.”

Kevin De Bruyne, who recently returned from a long-term knee injury, is also set to feature in this match. The Belgian made his comeback in City’s weekend clash against Bournemouth, where he scored one of their four goals. With the absence of Toure, City will rely on Silva and De Bruyne to provide the creative impetus.

Motta and Rabiot ready to take control of PSG’s midfield

The midfield is a key area where the match could be won or lost, and PSG manager Laurent Blanc is set to field 33-year-old Thiago Motta as the central defensive midfielder against City. Motta is expected to be accompanied by Blaise Matuidi and Adrien Rabiot in the middle of the park.

“Of course he [Motta] has all my confidence. He is a certain age now and, ever since we’ve been working together, he’s had moments where he hasn’t been at his best. But he has always finished strongly,” Blanc said, according to PSG’s official website. “He works through the rough patch and comes out right on top. I hope it will be the case again this season. He offers guarantees to our side.”

However, PSG are missing star Italian midfielder Marco Verratti for this match due to an injury, while Argentine playmaker Javier Pastore is also doubtful for the game.

PSG have the upper hand

PSG have a big advantage over all of their European rivals this season in the Champions League. They have already won the French league and can afford to rest their players ahead of the European games.

In contrast, Manchester City are fighting to stay in the top four positions in the highly competitive Premier League at present and cannot afford to rest key men in any of their fixtures. Failure to qualify for the Champions League would result in a huge financial hit for a club that already has a very high wage bill.

It remains to be seen whether the Parisians’ single-minded attention on the competition will help them challenge the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid for the Champions League trophy.