Manchester City head into the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against Paris Saint-Germain with a slender away goals advantage. Manuel Pellegrini's side struggled to a 2-2 draw in an error-strewn game at the Parc des Princes last week, giving them real hope of making it into the Champions League semifinals for the first time in their history.
Manchester City vs. Paris Saint-Germain 2016: Time, TV schedule and team news for Champions League
Manchester City host Paris Saint-Germain at the Etihad on Tuesday, looking to maintain their slender away goals lead.
However, if they are to stand a chance, they’re going to have to be much better in the second leg than they were in the first. They gave away a hatful of clear-cut chances, and had PSG talisman Zlatan Ibrahimović remembered his shooting boots, the Parisians could well have put the tie to bed in front of their own fans. As it is, they’re now going to have to take risks at the Etihad, perhaps leaving space for City to strike on the counter-attack.
Key player: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Manchester City will be looking for a big performance from Belgian playmaker De Bruyne, who has recently returned from a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury. It's no coincidence his absence coincided with a dip in form for the Blues. Mobile and strong but technically superb, he's capable of making the difference in a game with as fine margins as this. Chelsea must be kicking themselves for having let him go back in 2014.
Key question: Will City’s defence hold out?
In the absence of the injured Vincent Kompany, City’s defence has tended to go to mush. None of the Belgian’s teammates are of the standard of a Champions League-winning team, and the protection they’re afforded by Fernando and Fernandinho is often sub-par too. Suffice to say, the home crowd should be set for a white-knuckle ride, in which good fortune will be required in healthy doses if City are to keep PSG quiet.
Manchester City injuries and suspensions
Out: Raheem Sterling (groin); Samir Nasri (unregistered). In doubt: Vincent Kompany (calf).
Paris Saint-Germain injuries and suspensions
Out: Blaise Matuidi, David Luiz (suspended). In doubt: Marco Verratti (groin).
City will be without attackers Sterling and Nasri, who are injured and ineligible respectively. Captain Kompany is likely to miss out, as he continues his recovery from a recurring calf injury.
PSG’s two big absentees are suspended first-teamers David Luiz and Matuidi, though playmaker Verratti could join them on the sidelines if he fails in his bid to recover from a groin problem.
Match date/time: Tuesday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 7:45 p.m. local
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
TV: FOX Sports 1 (US - English); ESPN Deportes (US - Spanish); TSN (Canada); BT Sport Europe (UK)
Online: FOX Sports GO, FOX Soccer 2GO (US); TSN live streaming (Canada); BT Sport live streaming (U.K.)
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