Champions League Quarterfinals Man City - PSG: Will history repeat itself?

(Baonghean.vn)-Held to a 2-2 draw in the first leg, PSG must defeat their opponents, or win a high-scoring draw (3-3 or more) to qualify for the Champions League semi-finals.

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

In the last three seasons, PSG have missed the semi-finals of the Champions League. With a 2-2 draw with Man City, despite having home field advantage, PSG will most likely say goodbye to this most prestigious arena once again.

The Citizens are playing at home and they only need a 0-0 or 1-1 draw to qualify. Can Pellegrini take Man City to their first ever Champions League semi-final?

In terms of personnel, coach Pellegrini is having a headache with the injury of Belgian central defender Vincent Kompany. In the hands of the Chilean coach, only Nicolas Otamendi is reliable enough, Eliaquim Mangala, despite turning 25, is still considered potential, Martin Demichelis plays well and poorly. To strengthen the midfield, Yaya Toure will likely return to the starting lineup to replace Jesus Navas.

The Manchester team also received another piece of good news when “conductor” David Silva did not need surgery to treat an ankle injury and will take charge of the attack. The remaining positions will remain the same as the first leg in Paris.

On the side of the away team PSG, coach Laurent Blanc has no choice but to attack. Playing away at Etihad, but PSG is forced to proactively push forward to find a goal. Forced to attack, PSG also does not forget the task of defense, because The Citizens have Aguero who is extremely dangerous in counter-attacking style.

The ability of "conductor" David Silva to play the ball is beyond question, especially when David Luiz and Blaise Matuidi cannot play due to suspension. Gunners Lucas Moura, Cavani, Di Maria, Ibrahimovic are forced to limit their ability to pass outside the 16.5m area and must constantly attack, waiting for Man City to make a mistake. Coach Laurent Blanc is quite worried about the team's personnel situation.

PSG's extremely important duo Javier Pastore and Marco Verratti are having fitness problems. Most recently, goalkeeper Kevin Trapp was injured in the Ligue 1 match last weekend and his ability to play is still uncertain. To replace Matuidi, coach Blanc can also use Benjamin Stambouli or pull Angel di Maria to play in the middle depending on the situation on the field.

This is not the first time PSG have been put in a difficult position. Last year's Champions League, the round of 16 let their opponents draw 1-1 in the first leg at home, in the second leg when Ibrahimovic received a red card, PSG had to play with one less man in the first half, twice let The Blues take the lead, but both times they successfully equalized to knock their opponents out on the way to the quarter-finals.

PSG's history of visiting England in the last two seasons has been one of impressive performances. And people expect Laurent Blanc to do just that at the Etihad tonight. If not, fans will see Man City reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time.

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

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

An Thanh