The UEFA Champions League returns with a bang on matchday seven, as two of the world’s richest clubs, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, face off in a crucial tie. Dubbed ‘El Cashico,’ this encounter promises to be an exciting one, with both teams desperate to secure a spot in the knockout stages.
PSG, still seeking their maiden Champions League title, come into this clash under pressure. The Parisians have struggled in European competition, winning just one of their last seven outings against Manchester City. With only one win from their last three European games, PSG’s hopes of advancing to the next round hang in the balance.
Despite their struggles in Europe, PSG have been impressive at home, with nine wins from their last 12 games in all competitions. However, their recent record against top European teams is a concern, with three defeats from their last five Champions League home games.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are facing their own set of challenges. The 2022/23 champions are without a win in their last three Champions League games and risk being knocked out of the competition at the group stage for the first time since 2012/13. City’s away form in the Champions League is also a concern, with two consecutive defeats on the road by multiple-goal margins.
The key battle in this encounter will be between PSG’s Marquinhos and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. Marquinhos has been impressive in the Champions League, completing the most passes of any player ahead of matchday seven. However, he will have his work cut out containing Haaland, who scored a brace against Marquinhos and PSG in their previous encounter.
Interestingly, only two of PSG’s last eight Champions League games have seen both teams score. This statistic suggests that this encounter could be a low-scoring affair, with both teams likely to adopt a cautious approach.
The stakes are high for both PSG and Manchester City, and this ‘El Cashico’ clash promises to be an intense and thrilling encounter. With the Champions League group stage nearing its conclusion, both teams will be desperate to secure a positive result and boost their chances of advancing to the knockout stages.
