Champions League Quarter-finals: Man City vs. PSG: Will history repeat itself?

(Baonghean.vn)Having drawn 2-2 in the first leg, PSG must defeat their opponents or secure a high-scoring draw (3-3 or higher) to advance to the Champions League semi-finals.

Last season, in the round of 16, they found themselves in a similar situation after drawing 1-1 in the first leg, but Thiago Silva's header in the 114th minute silenced Stamford Bridge. Will history repeat itself?

For the last three seasons, PSG have missed out on the Champions League semi-finals. With a 2-2 draw against Man City, despite having home advantage, PSG are very likely to bid farewell to this prestigious competition once again.

The Citizens are playing at home and only need a 0-0 or 1-1 draw to advance. Will Pellegrini be able to lead Man City to their first ever Champions League semi-final?

In terms of personnel, coach Pellegrini is facing a headache with the injury to Belgian center-back Vincent Kompany. The Chilean coach only has Nicolas Otamendi as a reliable option; Eliaquim Mangala, despite being 25, is still considered a promising prospect, while Martin Demichelis's performances are inconsistent. To strengthen the midfield, Yaya Toure is likely to return to the starting lineup in place of Jesus Navas.

Manchester United also received another piece of good news as their "maestro" David Silva, who will not need surgery for his ankle injury, will take over leading the attack. The remaining positions will remain the same as in the first leg in Paris.

For the visiting PSG side, coach Laurent Blanc had no choice but to attack. Playing away at the Etihad Stadium, PSG were forced to proactively push forward in search of a goal. While attacking was necessary, PSG also didn't forget their defensive duties, as The Citizens had Aguero, who was extremely dangerous on the counter-attack.

David Silva's ball-playing ability was undeniable, especially with David Luiz and Blaise Matuidi unavailable due to suspensions. Arsenal's Lucas Moura, Cavani, Di Maria, and Ibrahimovic were forced to limit their passing outside the 16.5-meter box and instead focus on attacking, hoping for Manchester City to make mistakes. Coach Laurent Blanc was quite worried about the team's personnel situation.

PSG's crucial duo, Javier Pastore and Marco Verratti, are having fitness issues. Most recently, goalkeeper Kevin Trapp suffered an injury in last weekend's Ligue 1 match and his availability remains uncertain. To fill Matuidi's place, coach Blanc has Benjamin Stambouli or can move Angel di Maria to midfield depending on the game situation.

This isn't the first time PSG have been put in a difficult position. In last year's Champions League, in the round of 16, they drew 1-1 in the first leg at home, and in the second leg, after Ibrahimovic received a red card, PSG had to play with ten men from the first half. They were twice trailing The Blues, but both times they managed to equalize and knock their opponents out on their way to the quarter-finals.

PSG's history of away matches in England over the last two seasons has been one of impressive performances. And people are hoping Laurent Blanc will be able to do the same at the Etihad Stadium tonight. Otherwise, for the first time ever, fans will witness Manchester City reach the Champions League semi-finals.

Man City:Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Mangala, Clichy; Fernando, Fernandinho, Bruyne, Toure, Silva; Aguero.Predicted lineup

PSG:Trapp; Maxell, Marquinhos, Silva, Aurier; Maria, Motta, Rabiot; Moura, Ibrahimovic, Cavani.

An Thanh