Who needs a Super League when you have a match like this to look forward to? One week ago, we weren’t even sure whether this competition would be finished. At one point it even looked like Paris Saint Germain would be crowned champions of Europe by default, but thankfully that’s all over, for now at least.
We now have two mouth-watering semi finals on our hands, and in this one Manchester City travel to Paris hoping to reach the Champions League Final for the first time ever. They avoided shock defeat to Borussia Dortmund last time out, whereas PSG knocked out reigning champions Bayern Munich.
The attacking philosophies of both managers makes for an exciting encounter, and whoever makes it to Istanbul you would fancy their chances at winning.
Recent form
Aside from the last round in the competition, City come into this one off the back of a fourth successive League Cup triumph over Tottenham Hotspur where a goal from Aymeric Laporte was enough to secure victory. They will be full of confidence which can only benefit them.
On the other hand, despite being unbeaten in three games, PSG are still fighting for the Ligue 1 title. Whereas the Citizens can afford to put all their focus onto this tie with the Premier League almost secured. Both sides have lost two in their last six league games.
Manchester City Premier League form: WLWWWL
Paris Saint Germain Ligue 1 form: WWWLWL
Team news
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that City have a fully fit team ahead of the first leg. It was also confirmed that under-18 captain Kwaku Oduroh has been added to their squad for the trip to France.
PSG will be without Juan Bernat who is still recovering from an ACL injury suffered last year. Wonderkid Kylian Mbappe is set to feature despite being substituted in last Saturday’s game following a knock.
Managers comments
“I learned from Johan Cruyff – when you arrive at these stages there is only one thing you can do and that is enjoy the game. Enjoy the responsibility and the pressure. Enjoy the fact that you have not lived more of these situations.
“That is elite. Top players enjoy this situation because they take the responsibility. That’s why the greatest win this competition, and the greatest clubs win this competition because they play it as a friendly game.
“That’s what I want to see in my team and that is what are going to do. We are privileged to be one of the best four teams in Europe this season and we must enjoy it.”
Mauricio Pochettino
“It’s not a personal battle, it’s not a personal game. It’s a battle between two very good teams.
“When you talk about Pep Guardiola you are talking about one of the best coaches in the world, if not the best. I admire Pep not only for the titles but the legacy that he is building in football.
“I love being involved in football and trying to learn, to compete and win, but it is a game between two big clubs. It’s not going to be an easy game for either side.”
Predicted line-ups
Man City predicted XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Stones, Cancelo, Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Jesus, Foden
PSG predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Navas; Dagba, Danilo, Kimpembe, Bakker, Gueye, Verratti, Di Maria, Neymar, Draxler, Mbappe
One's to watch
We should be lucky enough to see two of the best young attacking talents in the world face off in this one. We all know how good Mbappe is and with all the rumours that this could be his last season at PSG, they will be hoping he leaves having lifted the Champions League.
For City there’s Phil Foden, Stockport’s answer to Iniesta has hit another level this season and his performances in the big games has seen eyebrows raised across the world.
Both of their exceptional performances in the Quarter Final means that we should be in for an exciting two games, and we haven’t even mentioned Neymar or Kevin De Bruyne yet.
Both are clearly the main men in their respective sides, and with their experience and quality they’ll be looking to power through to the final.
Kick Off: 20:00 BST Wednesday, April 28.
Live coverage of the game can be found on BT Sport 2 with the programme beginning at 19:00 BST.